Coast Guard & NMPT Crew Rescue 20 Lives on Distressed Dredger off NMP

Coast Guard Karnataka & New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) Crew Rescue 20 Lives on Distressed Dredger ‘Tridevi Prem’ off New Mangalore Port

Mangaluru: In a press release sent by DIG SS Dasila, TM, the Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka based at Panambur it stated- ‘Dredger Tridevi Prem with 13 crew onboard, owned by Mercator Limited, Mumbai anchored within port limits of New Mangalore Port Trust was on a contractual agreement with NMPT for dredging to ensure sufficient depth in channel. The master of the vessel had reported flooding in Pump room on 31 Aug 19. Later, it was reported to have been under control on the same day. However, from the evening of 1 Sep 19, the master again began raising Coast Guard and NMPT to report flooding in the same compartment.

A repair team comprising of divers arranged by owner on pursuance of Coast Guard and NMPT, escorted by Deputy Conservator, NMPT himself was embarked on the vessel by a tug. Additionally, though the vessel had even keel, ICGS Amartya on safety patrol along the Coast of Karnataka monitored the situation closely along with ROS(NML). Meanwhile, the Master and local crew members on board the dredger continued to intimidate the authorities using external sources. At around 2145 hrs, ROS(NML) received a distress message 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 arrived at the distress location in the shortest possible time. On establishing communication, it was found that apart from 13 crew members of the ship, 07 members from repair team were present on board making it a total of 20 lives on board. On preliminary assessment from outside, the vessel appeared to be stable and no threat to life on board the vessel was observed. However, the master repeatedly continued expressing his intention of abandoning the ship with the crew in the lifeboat.

As the situation appeared under control, ICGS Amartya advised the master to be patient and not to abandon ship. The same was reiterated by NMPT also. However, the master insisted on abandoning the ship. The situation was being handled at NMPT Chairman level and the master was advised to speak to the company before taking any hasty decision.

ICGS Amartya maintained in close vicinity of the vessel and was in constant communication with the vessel, to give solace to the master that Coast Guard is continuously monitoring the situation to render rescue assistance in case of any eventuality. Meanwhile, weather in the area deteriorated rapidly with a swell height of 2-2.5m and poor visibility in heavy rain. While the situation was being discussed at higher levels; even for possibilities of any oil spillage that may occur due to sinking of the ship, the master lowered a lifeboat and 13 crew abandoned the dredger at around 0230 hrs, leaving behind the repair team of 07 members.

Moreover, before abandoning the ship, she was brought to darken state. ICGS Amartya rushed to the help and rescued all the 13 crew of lifeboat safely in a swift and daring rescue operation braving rough weather conditions and heavy rain. All rescued crew were taken on board by 0325 hrs and provided with food/water. The remaining 07 members of the repair team were rescued by NMPT Tug Ocean Esteem in coordination with ICGS Amartya. During the rescue operation, ropes of the lifeboat parted due to rough weather and the unmanned lifeboat remained adrift. Since visibility reduced drastically, lifeboat could not be kept in sight.

However, as the visibility improved, ICGS Amartya located the lifeboat at around 0420 hrs and kept the boat in sight till it was handed over to Pilot vessel of NMPT at around 0710 hrs. A well-coordinated rescue operation by Coast Guard and NMPT rescued 20 lives in a quick time.