21 crew members rescued from sinking ship

Udupi, May 30 (UNI) In a major operation, the Coast Guard today rescued 21 crew members from a sinking ship, carrying iron ore, at the Karwar port.

Briefing about the incident at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who visited the Malpe port, Coast Guard Deputy Commandant Nitin Rathod said the ship with 22 crew members was coming to the port for anchoring when it was hit by an oyster rock and started sinking. A Coast Guard helicopter immediately rushed to the spot and airlifted 21 crew members. However, the remaining one member could not be saved as he jumped into the sea in a bid to save himself.

In another major operation last night, the Coast Guard had rescued six fishermen, stranded in their fishing boat off the Malpe coast, and brought them to the New Mangalore port. They were produced before the Chief Minister at the meeting.

Mr Kumaraswamy, after hearing the grievances of people's representatives and fishermen community leaders, assured that he would soon convene a meeting of the leaders and representatives to discuss in detail problems such as taking up dredging immediately at Malpe port and stationing of a permanent Coast Guard unit.

He also assured to consider the demand for raising the ex-gratia amount to Rs two lakh from the present Rs one lakh in case of death during calamities, after consulting with the Revenue department.

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