Coast Guard rescues 20 from flooded ship ‘Tridevi Prem’, a dredger.
With thirteen crew on board , owned by Mercator Limited, Dredger Tridevi Prem was anchored within New Mangalore Port Trust’s port boundaries under a contractual agreement with NMPT to dredge to guarantee adequate channel depth.
The master of vessel had reported flooding in Pump room on 31 Aug 19. However, from the evening of 1 Sep 19, the master of vessel again began raising alarm to Coast Guard and NMPT reporting flooding in the same compartment.
A repair team was sent by the tug,consisting of divers organized by owners on the pursuit of Coast Guard and NMPT , led by Deputy Conservator.
At around 9.45 pm on Sunday, a distress message was received from the vessel, which was relayed to ICGS Amartya and the ship was directed to reach datum at the earliest to ascertain facts.
ICGS Amartya reached at distress location very quickly. It was found that apart from 13 crew members of the ship, 07 members from repair team were present onboard (total of 20 crew onboard). initially, the vessel was found stable and no threat to life onboard the vessel was observed. However, the master repeatedly continued expressing his intention of abandoning the ship.
The weather in the area rapidly deteriorated with a swelling height of 2-2,5 m and low visibility in heavy rain. While the situation was being discussed at greater rates; even for the opportunities of any oil spillage that could happen as a result of ship sinking, the master took action and lowered the lifeboat and 13 crew abandoned the dredger at approximately 2.30 am on Monday, leaving the 07-member repair team behind.
Moreover, she was carried to a dark state before leaving the vessel. ICGS Amartya hurried to the aid and securely saved all 13 crew in a swift and courageous rescue operation that braved badweather and heavy rain. At 3.25 am, all rescued crew were taken on board and supplied with food and water.
The remaining 07 members of the repair team were rescued by NMPT Tug Ocean Esteem in coordination with ICGS Amartya.
A well-coordinated rescue operation by the Coast Guard and NMPT rescued 20 lives in a quick time, stated the release from Coast Guard.
