36 onboard Sindhu Sadhana Rescued off Karwar

Padmesh Prabhune

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team successfully rescued 36 crew, including eight scientists on board the research ship – RV Sindhu Sadhana of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in the Arabian Sea, off the Karwar Coast in Karnataka on July 27, 2023.

The research vessel had suffered engine failure and was approximately 20 nautical miles away from land when the distress signal was received.

According to reports, the situation was critical as the state-of-the-art research vessel of NIO was carrying valuable scientific equipment and research data. Moreover, the proximity of the ship to the ecologically sensitive Karwar coastline posed an imminent threat of grounding, which could have resulted in a major oil spill and devastating pollution to the pristine marine environment there.

Upon receiving the distress call, the Indian Coast Guard immediately swung into action and activated a high-priority rescue operation, dispatching a highly advanced ship with a skilled team to the area. Recognizing the potential magnitude of the disaster, the Indian Coast Guard was activated to safeguard the Ship so as to protect the fragile ecosystem and save the vessel from running aground.

Despite challenging weather conditions and the vessel’s considerable distance from the coastline and size of the ship, the Indian Coast Guard team took the vessel under tow to safely bring it to Goa, thereby executing a seamless rescue operation. The crew members onboard the NIO ship were reported safe and sound.

– Marex Media