Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Updated

Mangaluru, Jun 4: As per the latest reports coming in, the Coast Guard has rescued all 27 members aboard the barge that was sinking in the Arabian sea off Ullal coast.

The Coast Guard and the coastal security police had rescued four persons on the night of Saturday June 3, and the remaining 23 were rescued on Sunday June 4 morning.

Though it was said that the rescue would be done using a helicopter on Sunday morning, a Coast Guard Hovercraft ACV H-196 and Amartya ship were used to rescue the remaining stranded men.

The rescue operation which had been halted due to the rough sea on Saturday night, resumed at 7 am on Sunday.

The rescue operation on Sunday morning went on for about three hours.

Amartya ship of the Indian Coast Guard

The barge carrying 27 workers engaged in the work of sea erosion project dashed into rocks laid on reefs and started sinking after its anchor broke. Two other anchors of the barge had already broken earlier but the company had reportedly not responded to the problem despite being informed. No rescue boat could go close to the barge due to the rocks and the rough sea, still, the Coast Guard had managed to rescue four with the help of a lifeboat on Saturday. The lifeboat too was damaged in the process.

The 23 stranded aboard spent a restless night amid the high waves and the inclement weather. The engine of the barge had stopped functioning, and so also the generator. The sinking barge was filling with water and the men aboard could do nothing but wait anxiously for the rescue operation to resume. The Amartya ship attached to the Indian Coast Guard which was anchored some distance away kept a close watch and monitored the situation throughout.

On Sunday morning, when the rescue operation began at around 7 am, a small boat was sent and eight persons were rescued and brought to the ship. The rest were rescued with the help of the hovercraft.

As the lifeboat could not get close to the barge due to the rocks and the reefs, the stranded men jumped into the sea and swam towards the boat on the instructions of the rescue personnel. They were wearing life jackets.

Minister U T Khader, who is also the MLA of Ullal, on Sunday morning visited the Coast Guard at Panambur and directed the officials to step up the rescue operation. He also discussed the rescue plan with Coast Guard DIG SS Dasila and commander Jaswal. Khader returned from Mysuru at around 3 am, and after praying at the mosque, went straight to the Coast Guard office to monitor the situation, sources said.

"As many as 50 personnel of the Coast Guard conducted the rescue operation. A helicopter was also on standby in Goa, and two ships were also kept ready. The rescue went on smoothly and the officials were in constant touch with Shobhith who was stranded aboard by phone," U T Khader said.

Coastal security police inspector Gangireddy rescued five of the stranded men on the barge. His bravery and courage in the undertaking the daring act was applauded and appreciated by outgoing police commissioner Chanda Sekhar who personally congratulated him. 

'Incident to be probed'

Addressing a press meet later, Khader said, "As you all know the Coast Guard and the coastal security police have rescued all who were stranded in a barge off Kotepura coast in Ullal. The rescue operation sas ended. All are safe and happy on being rescued. I thank all the members of the rescue team, both Coast Guard and the coastal security police.

"But the question arises, despite warning against entering the deep sea during monsoon, how is it that the barge was engaged in the construction operations at sea? We have already ordered investigation into this and asked for a report from the New Mangalore Port authority," he said.

"The barge met with an accident at around noon on June 3. But the Coast Guard received a telephonic message at 4:45 pm from New Mangalore Port Trust. On receipt of the message the operation team of Coast Guard immediately swung into action. They called rescue ship ICGS Amartya from Suratkal and it reached the spot at 6:40 pm.

"This morning at around 5:45 am the Coast Guard and the coastal security police started their rescue operations and by 9 am all were rescued from the barge. I congratulate Gurvinder Singh, the commandar of the Coast Guard and coastal security police. Four persons were rescued by coastal security police and the rest by the Coast Guard.

"I urge all fishermen and port officials and personnel not to go into the sea in bad weather conditions and not to neglect the warnings," he added.

Deputy commissioner K G Jagadeesha, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Coast Guard commander Gulvinder Singh were present.

Earlier Report: June 3

Mangaluru: Over 20 stranded after barge begins to sink at Ullal, rough sea hinders rescue efforts

Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 3: Over 20 persons are in grave danger after the barge they are aboard on began to sink in the Arabian sea off the Ullal coast here on Saturday June 3.

The 27 persons aboard the barge have been engaged in work relating to the sea erosion project.

The barge hit against some rocks about 200 metres from the shore and faces danger of sinking. Due to high tide and strong waves, the rescue work has not been easy.

The work on the project, aimed at establishing a permament solution to the erosion problem, has been going on for the past two years in the sea shores of Mogaveerapatna, Kotepura and Kodi. The workers on the barge were installing reefs, and the first phase of the work was completed last Thursday. However, on June 3 at around 1.30 pm, the barge hit against the rocks that were placed on reefs and got caught in the high waves, putting the men aboard, who included a local named Shobhith and those from other states, in danger.

Sources said that though the locals informed the Coast Guard about the incident in the afternoon, the rescue boat came only after 5 pm, but even then, due to the strong waves and the weather, rescue was not possible.

At around 6.30 pm, the workers sent distress signals by setting off fire flares into the air at least twice in a span of half an hour. Though a Coast Guard rescue boat was at some distance from the sinking barge, the waves hindered its progress.

Meanwhile, Shobhith's father said that his son was in constant touch with him on phone since afternoon. "He told me that he could swim to ashore to safety, but as many on board did not know swimming, he decided to stay back to help them. He said everyone was wearing life jackets," he told daijiworld.

DCP Sanjeeva Patil, ACP Shruthi, Ullal inspector Gopikrishna, fire personnel and revenue officials rushed to Mogaveerapatna beach, apart from thousands of curious locals.

'Rescue us with helicopters'

Shobhith who was trapped in the barge, when contacted on phone at around 8.45 pm, pleaded for swift rescue. "Water is filling inside the barge. Our country has advanced so much, but no one came to our rescue for long. We are struggling between life and death. Please send helicopters to our rescue, or we will die. Only five have been rescued so far."

Apathy from company

The reef installation work was completed a week ago. Four days ago, two anchors attached to the barge broke due to the stormy sea. Though the company officials concerned were informed about the barge, there was no response. On Saturday, the third anchor of the barge also broke, and the vessel began sinking. The company officials were informed about the accident in the afternoon, still there was no response. The Coast Guard came to their rescue at around 6 pm, but they too could not come near the reefs. They remained at some distance and sent a lifeboat to the barge. However, in an effort to shift over 20 stranded workers to the lifeboat, it dashed into the barge and was damaged. As all could not be shifted at once, most of the workers remained behind, sending only four among them at first.

However, due to the rough sea, the rescue operation has been halted for the time being.

The barge belongs to Dharti company under Mumbai-based IBIS, sources said.

Among the stranded workers, only Shobhith is a local from Pandeshwar, Ullal, while the rest are from various parts including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Helicopter to rescue in the morning

Minister U T Khader, who is also the MLA of Ullal, said that as rescue by boat was difficult, the coastal security force will send out a helicopter at 4 am on Sunday May 4 to rescue the stranded crew. "The workers on the barge have been instructed to secure themselves with life jackets and rings," he added.

'Coast Guard swung into action immediately'

As per official information, the Coast Guard received a telephonic message at about 4:45 pm from New Mangalore Port Trust regarding flooding in the barge. On receipt of the message, the operations team of the Coast Guard immediately swung into action and as a first step, directed the Indian Coast Guard ship (ICGS) Amartya, which was on patrol, to proceed with maximum available speed to render necessary assistance to the distressed barge, officials said.

ICGS Amartya arrived at the position at 6:40 pm and established communication with the barge in distress. On assessment of the weather condition in area, ICGS Amartya lowered its Gemini (inflatable rubber boat) with diving officer and boarding team at 6:48 pm. The Gemini arrived near the barge and notwithstanding the inclement weather in the area, towed liferaft of the barge with four persons onboard towards the ICG ship.

The Gemini reached ICGS Amartya with the four rescued persons at 8 pm. Thereafter, the rescue operation was terminated for the day view strong winds and heavy swell in area.

ICGS Amartya is maintaining its position in the area with continuous communication with the barge and intends to commence rescue operation by first light on June 4. Coast Guard Hovercraft, ACV H-196 will also be deployed for rendering assistance and ICGS Rajdoot has been kept standby at short notice for sailing, said officials.