Indian Coast Guard Assistance during Cyclone ‘Kyarr’ over East Central Arabian Sea
Mangaluru : In a statement released by Commander of Karnataka Indian Coast Guard at Panambur, Com SS Dasila said, “Indian Coast Guard stepped up efforts for search and Rescue of fishermen stranded in the wake of Cyclone “Kyarr”. ICG has so far rescued 19 fishermen and escorted more than 2100 fishing boats to safety at various ports in the West Coast.
ICG has been issuing weather warnings since 18 Oct 19 to all stake holders and fishermen requesting them to refrain from proceeding to sea and recall the one already at sea. ICG Ships, aircraft, MRCCs and ROS broadcasted messages to all seafarers in vernacular languages also to apprise them of the cyclonic weather and advised them to return harbour. Close coordination with Fisheries association/authorities, Coastal Security Group, Marine Police and other stakeholders is maintained to account the stranded fishing boats and return them to safety.
Ten ICG ships have been deployed for locating the fishing boats and rendering assistance to stranded fisherman in affected areas along the impact areas of cyclones. Four ICG Dornier have been tasked for area scan and to locate stranded fishing boats. Two ICG Helo sorties have been augmented for area scan and to locate stranded fishing boats.
The proactive efforts of ICG units resulted in safely escorting more than 2100 boats of various states stranded in the wake of the cyclone. 500 boats of Gujarat have taken shelter at Rajapuri, Maharashtra. 197 boats of Maharashtra have been sheltered at Ratnagiri. 700 boats of other states have been sheltered at Goa, Karwar, Udupi and New Mangalore. 80 boats of Kerala have taken shelter at Maharashtra.
ICG units are maintaining close coordination with fisheries authorities and other stakeholders for search and rescue of missing/stranded fishing boats. One Coast Guard Aircraft has been positioned at Coast Guard Air Enclave to augment the surface assets. Dornier aircraft is undertaking frequent sortie with to look for stranded fishing boats and their positions are being relayed to Coast Guard Ships operating at sea.
ICG ships for Karnataka/Goa coast – Pollution Control Vessel-Samudra Prahari; Fast Patrol Vessel- Amal, Apoorva, Amartya, Rajdoot ; *Coast Aircraft*. Coast Guard is in effective liaison with all three coastal Districts Authorities Karnataka state and DD Fisheries. As of now approximately 500 IFBs from other states *Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu* have taken shelter at Karwar and approx 120 IFBs at Udupi & Mangaluru. In a swift and daring SAR operations ICGS Amartya rescued 05 survivors on 25 Oct 2019 from stranded IFB Rajkiran off Karwar since yesterday. All survivors provided food and medical aid. Crew being taken to Karwar harbour for handling over to local CSP/DD Fisheries.
IFB Raj Kiran ex-Malpe, Reg no. KA-02-MM-4103 was reportedly in distress off Karwar. Safety of Fishing Boats- ICG coordinated with Fisheries Authorities of respective states and confirmed that no fishing boats are presently operating at sea. Additionally ICG ships and aircraft deployed at sea are also keeping lookout for warning/shepherding of fishing boats if sighted/located at sea.
In another daring rescue efforts under very rough sea and extreme weather conditions nine crew of stranded IFB MA Maheel (Reg No. KA 01 MM 3070) ex- Mangaluru stranded since yesterday 25 NM off Devgadgudda rescued by ICGS Amartya today 26 Oct 2019 at 1630hrs. All crew provided with Food/water and basic first aid.
