Panaji (Goa): The Indian Navy has rescued a Maldivian Registered Landing Craft ‘MV Maria 3’, which was adrift for five days on high seas due to propulsion failure. The ship had six personnel on board (1 Bangladeshi, 2 Sri Lankans and 3 Maldivian nationals) including a lady.

The ship encountered rough weather upon its departure from the capital city Male on May 15 2017. As no contact could be established with the ship since  May 16, the Maldivian Coast Guard had issued ‘overdue’ on May 19 and subsequently requested Indian Navy in search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Dornier Aircraft of the Indian Navy, which is capable of undertaking multi roles, was deployed to Maldives on short notice to assist the Maldivian Coast Guard in SAR operations. Late on May 20, the Dornier, during the aerial surveillance located the drifting ‘overdue’ ship about 150 nautical miles south-east of Male, with all survivors safe on-board.

The information was passed to MRCC, Male and to Indian Naval Ship Kirch which was operating nearby. The warship made contact with the Landing Craft on May 21 and assisted the Maldivian Coast Guard in towing the ship safely to Male.

The Maldivian Coast Guard Commandant Col Mohammed Ibrahim, thanked the Indian Navy and applauded the Dornier crew for assisting the nation in SAR operations in inclement weather conditions. The crew were also felicitated by H.E. Akhilesh Mishra, Indian Ambassador, for strengthening the Indo-Maldives ties.

Commander A.S. Goraya, Lieutenant Commander M. Arun and Lieutenant Vineet Singh of Naval Air station Hansa based at Dabolim were involved in this successful SAR operations as Dornier Crew.

Team TNV