All nine on board tug Coromondel rescued

In a coordinated effort involving the State and Union governments, all nine crew members on board tug Coromondel Supporter IX, which ran aground mid-sea on “Mulki Rocks” off the Kaup coast on Sunday,

In a coordinated effort involving the State and Union governments, all nine crew members on board tug Coromondel Supporter IX, which ran aground mid-sea on “Mulki Rocks” off the Kaup coast on Sunday, were rescued on Monday morning. With the Arabian Sea calming down a little following the exit of Cyclone Tauktae from the region, the Karnataka Coast Guard deployed speed boats from its ship ICGS Varaha and rescued five crew members. Meanwhile, four were airlifted by the Indian Navy’s advanced light helicopter IN 702 that joined the rescue operations from the Southern Naval Command, Kochi. The crew members, who appeared to be normal, were rushed to New Mangalore Port Trust’s hospital for examination and observation. While the Coast Guard had been struggling to rescue the crew since Sunday morning amid the raging sea and keeping a watch on Coromondel from a distance through ICGS Varaha, the Dakshina Kannada administration got in touch with the government seeking the Centre’s assistance. Though the Navy was ready to execute the rescue operation by Sunday evening, inclement weather did not permit it.