Navy to the Rescue in the Pacific Ocean

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) When it comes to rescuing those in distress, the Indian Navy has never been found wanting -- whether within India's maritime zone or in the far far away Pacific Ocean.

Currently on an overseas deployment to Southeast and Fareast Asia, Indian Naval ships received a distress call from the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ship 'MV Maharashtra' while on transit from Singapore to Japan.

The beleaguered ship, some 270 nautical miles northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, was on passage from Tianjin, China to Bander Imam Khomeini in Iran and was without any power supply due to failure of her Main Diesel Alternators.

Attempts by the crew of the merchant vessel to restore the power supply had been unsuccessful.

On receiving the distress message, INS Rana was promptly despatched from the Indian Naval force to provide necessary assistance to the vessel at 0700hrs IST yesterday, an official spokesperson here said.

INS Rana reached the area at 0830hrs and a technical team -- comprising 10 naval personnel -- was transferred by helicopter and boat to the merchant vessel for rendering assistance.

The Naval team quickly rectified the diesel alternators, enabling restoration of power supply on board the merchant ship.

During the defect rectification, it was also observed that the fuel tanks supplying the diesel fuel to the alternators were contaminated. Supply of fresh fuel was essential to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

In an unprecedented operation at sea for which the warships are not designed, INS Rana went alongside the stricken merchant ship and supplied 10 tonnes of fuel to enable 'MV Maharashtra' continue on her passage.

UNI