INDIA. Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued a research ship of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which was drifting perilously close to the Karwar coast in Karnataka due to engine failure on Thursday.
The vessel “R V Sindhu Sadhna” was about 20 nautical miles from the coast when the Indian Coast Guard picked up the distress signal. It had been drifting due to the engine failure at a pace of 3 knots. A crew of 36 people and eight renowned scientists were on board the NIO vessel, as per officials.
The situation was critical since the NIO’s state–of–the–art research vessel was carrying valuable scientific equipment and research data. Moreover, the proximity of the ship to the ecologically sensitive Karwar coastline posed an immediate threat of grounding, which could have resulted in a major oil spill and devastating pollution to the pristine marine environment.
Upon receiving the distress call, the ICG immediately swung into action and activated a high-priority rescue operation, dispatching their highly advanced ship with a skilled team to the area. Recognizing the potential magnitude of the disaster, the ICG got activated to safeguard the ship so as to protect the fragile ecosystem and save the vessel from running aground.
The ICG team successfully carried the ship under tow to Goa despite difficult weather conditions, the vessel’s farthest point from the coastline, and the size of the ship. The ship’s crew members are now secure.
The ICG is still dedicated to protecting the region’s pristine marine ecosystems and maritime workers’ safety. Once again demonstrating its unshakable dedication to safeguarding both human life and the environment, it responded quickly and strategically, as per the ICG statement.
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