Coast guard choppers rescue 20 from sinking ship

Panaji, May 30 (UNI) Indian Coast Guard choppers today airlifted 20 crew members including the captain and his wife from the sinking ship 'Ocean Saraya', Stranded in the rough seas off Karwar coast in Karnataka, 42 miles from here.

Search was on to trace one of the second officers in the vessel, Mr Azim Juvale (Indian), who went missing after he reportedly jumped out of the ship.

''We acted on a distress signal from authorities of the Singapore based Executive Ship Management Private Limited at about 0400 hrs today when we pressed our rescue helicopters into operation,'' Deputy Inspector General of police commanding the Goa Coast Guard area R M Sharma told UNI today.

Latest reports said the ship was tilting and drifting towards the Karwar port. It had earlier drifted to 'Oyster Rocks' area as it got stuck in inclement weather that played havoc in Karnataka.

The vessel, 230 metres long and 32 metres wide with 650 tonnes of fuel, was expected to carry iron ore from Karwar. All the crew members execpt one are now safe as they were airlifted to Karwar port, Mr Sharma said.

The Coast Guard has also launched a search mission to trace a fisherman who went missing along with eight others off Goa coast yesterday.

The Coast Guard had pressed its helicopters into service even as the eight were rescued by fishermen from other boats, belonging to the South Indian Fishermen Association.

Meanwhile, a huge barge, carrying iron ore to Mormugao port from North Goa which got stuck in the sand off Miramar beach in the city, drifted ashore under the impact of strong winds and waves from the rough sea last night.

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