Port Blair, Dec 17: On Dec 16, 2014 at about 9.30 pm, the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (A&N) received the information from the Harbour Master, Port Management Board, Port Blair regarding mechanized sailing vessel, Our Lady Vellankanne (Regn No TN 78), overdue at Carnic since night of Dec 15.
Immediately Indian Coast Guard Ship Bhikhaiji Cama on patrol was directed to commence search for the vessel in the probable area between Hutbay & Carnic. The vessel had departed Hutbay at 1000 Hr on 15 Dec 14 with construction material & food grains and was schedule to enter Car Nicobar Port on the same day mid night.
Indian Coast Guard Dornier Aircraft was launched at 0830 hr on 17 Dec 14 for sea – air coordinated search of the vessel. An extensive search has been carried out by ship and aircraft, and the vessel could not be located. International Safety Net (ISN) has also been activated to alert all transiting ships to keep sharp lookout for the vessel and intimate sighting of vessel to the Coast Guard.
Indian Coast Guard Ships and aircraft are continuing the search efforts to locate the missing vessel. Indian Coast Guard, being the nodal agency for search and rescue in Indian waters, has been instrumental in saving 50 precious lives of fishermen in distress at sea in year 2014.
