Natural Calamity

Assistance to Grounded Tug MV Jalarag off Porbandar

At about 0030 hrs on 13 Jun 18, CGDHQ-1 received a VHF message from Tug Jalarag adrift in position 2.7 n miles Southeast of Porbandar due to total power failure. The tug with 07 crew was on passage from Veraval to Sikha. On receipt of information, ICGS Shoor was sailed from Porbandar at 0145 hrs on 13 Jun 18 to render assistance. However, the tug had drifted to shallow waters by then due to prevalent extreme weather conditions and ran aground subsequently. ICG Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) launched from Porbandar rescued all the 07 crew.

Fire Incident Puttingal Temple, Kollam (Kerala)

At about 0330 hrs on 10 Apr 16, a major fire erupted in Puttingal temple at Kollam (Quilon). Headquarters No. 4, Coast Guard District (Kerala) (CGDHQ-4) at Kochi immediately responded and Coast Guard Helicopter (CG-810) Ex-Kochi alongwith Medical Officer and medical supplies was launched and detached to Trivandrum in ambulance configuration. Helicopter reached Trivandrum at 1420 hrs. ICG team from ICGS Vizhinjam comprising of one Medical Officer, one Medical Assistant and seven Service personnel dispatched via road and arrived Kollam incident site at 1430 hrs. ICG service ambulance from Kochi alongwith one Officer, seven Personnel (including one Medical Assistant) departed at 1330 hrs for the Disaster site. Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat (C-427) from Vizhinjam was positioned at Thangassery harbour (Kollam) for rendering immediate assistance and two personnel were positioned at Kollam Collectorate to coordinate relief activities. Indian Coast Guard Ship Abhinav was kept standby at Kochi for immediate deployment. Six Blood donors were deputed from CGDHQ-4, Kochi deputed at Government hospital, Trivandrum. ICG medical team also assisted Govt Hospital in collection of blood from civilians as requested by District Collector.

SAR Assistance due Collapse of Bridge at Mahad Village, Raigad

During night of 02/03 Aug 16, torrential rains and flooding of Savithri river led to collapsing of the old bridge over Savithri River at Mahad Village, Maharashtra and washing away of two State Roadways buses along with 22 passengers onboard (as per local inputs). On request from the District Collector, Srivardhan Taluka, Distt Raigad ICG Station Murud Janjira coordinated the search operations and two ICG Chetak helicopters ex-Mumbai were launched at 0830 hrs & 1430 hrs respectively on 03 Aug 16 with Air Crew Diver (ACD) to undertake search operation. A Gemini craft along with one diver and five swimmers were dispatched on 03 Aug 16, by road from ICG Station Murud Janjira to the incident site. Two divers ex-Mumbai were dispatched to the incident site to augment the Search Operation along with the Naval diving team. Three Coast Guard ships Sankalp, Samrat & Samudra Prahari were deployed from 03-12 Aug 16 and carried out search off Srivardhan coast near the river mouth on seaward side. Wreckage of bus was found on PM 11 Aug 16 by the rescue team. A total of twenty six dead bodies were reportedly recovered by NDRF and local authorities.

Rescue Efforts at Havelock Island view Severe Cylonic Storm "Vardah"

On 07 Dec 16, Approx 1400 tourist were reported stranded at Havelock Island view heavy rain fall and strong winds and Ferry services from Port Blair to Havelock suspended view rough sea conditions under the influence of cyclone “Vardah”. CINCAN coordinated ‘Aid to Civil Authority’ and deployed four IN units to rescue stranded tourists. However, IN units reported unable to approach Havelock & returned Port Blair. Subsequently, on 08 Dec 16, A&N administration requested CGRHQ(A&N) for assistance. ICGS Kanaklata Barua & ICGS Rajveer were deployed for rescue ops but returned view unconducive sea conditions. At about 0900 hrs on 09 Dec 16, ICGS Kanaklata Barua & ICGS Rajveer were again deployed for rescue operation. A total of 242 tourists were rescued by ICG ships during the operation.

Assistance to Vessels Inside the Jawahar Dock, Chennai Harbour

Landfall at Chennai by very severe cyclonic storm ‘Vardah’ on 12 Dec 16 resulted in cyclonic wind conditions at Chennai harbour. Due to the severe weather conditions and strong winds, berthing hawsers of the ships berthed inside Jawahar Dock parted. Chennai Port Trust dispatched two tugs for assistance, but was restricted in providing additional manpower for berthing assistance and rope handling. Ships with parted berthing hawsers not only posed danger of damage to self, but also jeopardized the safety of other ships inside the dock. Considering the criticality of the situation, Berthing team Ex–Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad was immediately dispatched to assist Chennai Port Trust tug and the following distressed vessels at Jawahar Dock Chennai were safely berthed/ secured alongside with the assistance of ICG team:-

MV Akbar

DCI Dredger ‘Kaveri’

DCI Dredger ‘BH1’

Decommissioned Naval Submarine' Vagli'

Port Craft including Pilot Vessels