Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Aug 13: A sailor from Uduma has gone missing from a ship in the Panama sea, as per information received by his family here.

Nikhil Kadappuram (21), son of Gopinath Kunhappu, has been reported missing since August 11 while en route from Corinto, Nicaragua to Balboa, Panama.

Nikhil had joined the vessel MV Bochem Brussels in the capacity of saloon trainee seaman on January 3 this year.

As per the preliminary information received from the vessel, Nikhil was last seen by a crew member at 5.50 am (local time) on August 11. As per the report from the vessel, Nikhil arrived for his duties, cleared the galley, cleaned the utensils and left the galley after ten minutes for a short nap which was his routine for the past few days. However, Nikhil did not report back. The chief cook personally went to check and knocked on Nikhil's cabin door but there was no response.

The chief cook then notified the vessel head and Nikhil's door was opened with a master key. However, Nikhil was not in his cabin. A public announcement was made and alarm raised onboard. A thorough search was conducted onboard by the ship staff, but Nikhil was not found anywhere. The vessel was turned around on reciproca course and a search being carried out along the course line. MRCC and Panamanian Aero naval service were also notified of the missing crew member.

Presently the search operation is being carried out on site in coordination with Panamanian Aero naval service along with other vessels in the vicinity, stated the Mumbai-based Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt Ltd, to which the vessel belongs, in its communication to the family.

Nikhil was supposed to return home next month.

Nikhil's father is an employee at a private hospital in Palakunnu. His mother Sushila and brother Nitin are working in the Gulf, while sister Nitya is pursuing her degree.

The distraught family has urged state and central governments as well as people's representatives to intervene in the matter and help the authorities locate Nikhil.