KOCHI: Nine persons from the fishing vessel 'Island Queen' were rescued 70 miles off Bitra Island, Lakshadweep, by the Indian Navy ship INS Kolkata. All fishermen on board hailed from Thoppumpady, Kochi. The boat was reported missing for the past 15 days. The crew were found to be in satisfactory condition and their request for food, water and seamanship requirements was met by the ship immediately. Based on their request, the boat was escorted for two hours into fair weather, according to naval officers.
Officers said the Navy's search and rescue operations continued in full swing on the fifth day on Monday over southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi.
Eight naval ships, including front line ships from the Western Naval Command - INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand, were deployed for rendering assistance to the affected islands. In addition, all aircraft at the disposal of the Southern Naval Command, including long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I of the Eastern Naval Command, were deployed throughout the day.
A total of four tonnes of disaster relief material - including dry provisions such as rice, dal, salt, dehydrated potato and onion, water, blankets, raincoats, disposable clothes, mosquito nets and dhurries - has been handed over to the local administration by INS Dweeprakshak and the Naval Detachment, Minicoy. Disaster relief material of dry provisions and ready to eat meals are also being dispatched to Bitra lsland by a helicopter from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti.
The naval personnel of the Naval Detachment, Minicoy, are assisting the local populace and the administration in clearing the road and distributing food and ration.A naval Sea King helicopter from Kochi was deployed at Kavaratti. The helicopter is being used extensively to transfer the material between the islands. All the islands are under the cover of Indian Naval ships and aircraft with rescue and relief operations in full swing.
The Indian Navy is determined to bring back normalcy to the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands expeditiously. The swift and timely actions of the Navy has saved 148 lives at sea, including the 11 fishermen picked up by the Indian Naval Ships Jamuna, Nireekshak and Sagardhwani and brought ashore by INS Kalpeni. Besides, the Navy has been providing material support to more than 5,000 citizens affected by the unique Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over Southeast Arabian sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands. All other ships at the disposal of the Indian Navy would continue the search and rescue operations and provide relief till normalcy is restored.