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Indian Navy rescues crew members of distressed ship off Mumbai coast

by IBNS 21 Jun 2015, 11:20 pm

Mumbai, June 22 (IBNS) Amid an extremely bad weather on a rough sea 19 crew members of a drifting vessel were rescued by a Sea King chopper of the Indian Navy off the Mumbai coast in the late night on Sunday.

Reports said the captain of the vessel is yet to be picked up as he had stayed on board the ship. However another chopper was sent on Monday morning to bring him back. l

Late on Sunday night, the crew of the ship, jindal Kamashki, had sent a distress message about "extremely bad weather" and communicated that the ship was listing heavily to one side off the Mumbai coast. The crew requested immediate evacuation.

"Information was received around midnight by the Indian Navy that a vessel in distress Jindal Kamakshi which was 40 nautical miles from Mumbai harbour and 25 nautical miles off Vasai coast had listed heavily," a Defence spokesperson said.

"The distress message said the vessel listed heavily, with 20 persons on-board and requested assistance," the official said.

  The navy immediately sent a Sea King 42C helicopter to bring the crew members to safety.