From Daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji / Karwar, May 30 (Tuesday, 12-00 Noon):  A Singapore-registered merchant navy (MV) vessel hit the rocks off the Karwar coast, during wee hours Tuesday, May 30.

The huge ship carrying 22 crew members got drifted with the force of cyclonic winds in the Arabian sea on the night between Monday and Tuesday and hit the rocks, coast guard officials stated.

Immediately, the coast guard helicopters were pressed into action who rescued 6 out of 22 crew members. Rest are still stranded on the ship and rescue operation is going on, officials stated.

It is yet to be known whether the ship has developed cracks and would sink in the sea or could be saved.

Our Mangalore bureau adds:

May 30, Tuesday, 12-45 pm

Commandant (JG) Sajwan of Indian Coast Guard, Panambur, Mangalore, speaking exclusively to Daijiworld, said that the mishap occurred around 5 am on Tuesday.

The Singapore-registered ship 'Ocean Sikaya' had been anchored off the Karwar coast. The mooring cable gave way with the forceful gales, and the ship drifted and hit the rocks. As at noon, 16 of the crew have been rescued by helicopters from Goa and search is on for the rest of them. In spite of the difficult weather, the Coast Guard is sparing no effort to save lives and property.

Update from our special correspondent in Goa, Tuesday, 12-45 pm

As per information available from Coast Guard sources in Goa, all persons, except one, have been rescued. There was a lone woman, wife of the captain, on board, who has been saved. The name of the lone missing crew is Azim Juvale of Thane, Mumbai, who appears to have jumped overboard when the ship drifted. The Coast Guard is making every effort for search and rescue.