Indian Coast Guard Rescues 54 Passengers in Lakshadweep
INN/Lakshadweep, @Infodeaofficial
At approximately 1430 hours on January 14, 2025, the Lakshadweep Administration sent a distress signal to Indian Coast Guard Headquarters No. 12 (Lakshadweep), Kavaratti, regarding a missing boat carrying approximately 54 passengers and three crew members. On January 14, 2025, the ship left Kavaratti at 1215 AM with the goal of arriving at Suhelipar Island by 9 AM. There were twenty children, three newborns, nine males, and twenty women among the passengers.
The Indian Coast Guard quickly used the Remote Operating Station (ROS) in Kavaratti to launch a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for the missing boat after learning of the situation. It was determined that the boat was stranded in the middle of the ocean due to an engine failure. After successfully establishing contact with the stranded boat, the Indian Coast Guard ship received the information and was diverted to the boat’s location at top speed in order to evaluate the situation and offer assistance.
The ICG ship arrived at the stranded boat, which was four nautical miles off Suhelipar Island, at around 1630 hours. After evaluating the situation, the ship’s boarding crew safely loaded all 54 passengers for the subsequent transfer to Kavaratti Island. In addition to receiving emergency care, the passengers received reassurance. The passengers were securely turned over to the Lakshadweep Administration officials at Kavaratti Island at approximately nine in the morning on January 15, 2025.
Search and Rescue (SAR) activities at sea can be considerably more successful if vessels follow safety procedures, namely avoiding overloading beyond rated capacity and carrying life-saving equipment, the District Headquarters at Kavaratti stressed to the Lakshadweep Administration. The Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding life in the isolated waters of Lakshadweep, in keeping with its slogan, “Vayam Rakshamah,” or “We Protect,” is demonstrated by the accomplishment of this SAR mission.