Indian Coast Guard chopper makes emergency landing in sea near Gujarat during rescue op; 3 crew missing

New Delhi [India], September 3 (ANI): An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat was forced to make an emergency landing in the Arabian sea during a rescue operation about 45 kms from Porbandar.

The rescue operation was launched around 11 pm on Monday for medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew onboard Indian flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, about 45 kms from Porbandar into sea, in response to a request received from the Master of the vessel, the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement.

ICG ALH helicopter with four air crew onboard, during the said operation reportedly was forced to make an emergency landing at sea. One crewmember has been recovered and a search is in progress for the remaining three crew members.

Aircraft wreckage has also been located.

The incident happened while the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation. Presently, ICG has pressed four ships, and two aircraft into a search operation.

Earlier on August 26, the Indian Coast Guard rescued 11 crew members from the distressed MV ITT Puma during a challenging night-time search and rescue operation, a press release said.

According to the release, the Mumbai-registered general cargo vessel was en route from Kolkata to Port Blair when it reportedly sank about 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

The Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Chennai initially received a distress signal late in the evening on August 25. The ICG’s Regional Headquarters (North East) in Kolkata promptly mobilised two ICG vessels and a Dornier aircraft to the site.

The Dornier aircraft, equipped with advanced night-capable sensors detected adrift liferafts and sighted survival red flares from the distressed crew.

Guided by the aircraft, the ICG ship reached the coordinates where two life rafts were found tied together, housing the survivors. Despite challenging weather conditions, the ICG ships Sarang and Amogh, alongside the Dornier aircraft, executed a coordinated sea-air rescue, ensuring the safety of the crew during the late hours of 25 August and the early hours of 26 August.