Five go missing, nine rescued as ONGC vessel sinks

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) At least five crew members on board a supply vessel of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Samudrika-10 went missing after it sank off the Mumbai coast, near the Nhava supply base of the public sector undertaking, today.

However, nine other crew members were rescued in a search and rescue operation carried out jointly by the personnel from ONGC, Indian Navy, Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group (FODAG) and Coast Guard.

The incident occurred when the offshore supply vessel was on a standby mode due to bad weather, waiting for the transfer of cargo to ONGC's drilling rig, Sagar Gaurav, operating in the Basin and Satellite field of the public sector undertaking.

The ill-fated vessel was operating in the sea at about 56 nautical miles from the supply base, an ONGC press statement said today.

Samudrika-10 was operated by M/S SICAL Logistics Ltd, Chennai under an operation and maintenance contract.

According to the statement regional contingency committee consisting of ONGC, Indian Navy, FODAG, Coast Guard and DG Shipping were immediately informed about the developments and activated for rescue and search operation.

In addition to two ONGC helicopter, and three PSU's offshore supply vessels, and two vessels from M/s British Gas are said to be involved in the operation.

One coast guard Dornier aircraft, and one ONGC Multi-support Vessel with divers and doctors on board were pressed into the rescue and search operation.

Union Minister For Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Murli Deora also asked Navy to provide an additional chopper as the operation was to be carried out in the night as well.

At the same time, all platforms. rigs and vessels of ONGC in the area have been advised to keep a close watch during the night, with senior officials rushing to the spot to oversee the operation.

Meanwhile, the rescued crew members were brought to Mumbai by PUS's helicopter after providing necessary medical help at the offshore, and their medical checkup was carried out at the Helibase itself.

The ill-fated vessel was constructed in 1986 and completed its last statutory dry-dock in February 2006, where as its next statutory dry-dock was due in November next year.

Samudrika-10 sailed on July 6 from Nhava Supply base of the ONGC in good weather conditions, the release stated.

UNI