Indian Coast Guard rescues 11 people from sunken cargo ship through swift sea and air operations

On the evening of August 26, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued 11 crew members of the cargo ship MV ITT Puma, which sank in the Bay of Bengal.

The ship sank due to rough seas about 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island while en route from Kolkata to Port Blair.

On the evening of August 25, the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Chennai received a distress signal. The Indian Coast Guard immediately dispatched two ships, the “Sarang” and the “Amog”. A Dornier aircraft equipped with enhanced night sensors to search and rescue the trapped crew members.

The Dornier aircraft was crucial in discovering the floating lifeboat and identifying the red life-saving signal issued by the crew. The aircraft guided the ICG vessel to the coordinates. And found two life rafts tied together to provide shelter for the survivors.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, the sea and air coordinated operation was successfully completed. Ensuring the safety of all 11 crew members.

The rescue exemplifies ICG’s dedication to maritime security. The sea and air operations came just days after Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Chennai on August 18, 2024.

Additionally, the new facility is equipped with advanced communication systems and the latest crisis monitoring technology. And is designed to improve the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations.

On August 24, ICG conducted a similar rescue when a Dornier aircraft spotted a fishing vessel IFB Angel. Which had run aground due to engine failure, about 70 km southeast of Diu.

However, the ill-fated vessel, carrying nine crew members, was safely towed to Jaffarabad by ICG vessel Rajratan amid heavy seas.