Port Blair, July 25: The Motor Sailing Vessel Safeena of Central Tribal Cooperative Society was awarded with best Search And Rescue (SAR) vessel award for the year 2012 by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, AVSM, NM , the Director General Indian Coast Guard and Chairman National Maritime Search & Rescue (NMSAR) Board, during an impressive ceremony at Chennai on 24 July 12. The award function was witnessed by the NMSAR Board members including Inspector General VSR Murthy PTM, TM, the Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N) and Captain Ashvini Kumar, the Harbour Master, PMB.
The vessel was awarded Best SAR vessel for the year 2012 for rescuing 09 stranded Nicobaris fishermen alongwith 02 boats disregarding personal comforts and financial losses on account of diversion and delay at sea. Mr. M Amin Moosa, Senior Executive Manager and Executive Member Tribal Council represented MSV Safeena and received the SAR Award.
Infact , the case of MSV Safeena was short listed & recommended for award of coveted SAR award by the Coast Guard Region Headquarters(A&N) considering the enthusiasm displayed by the master in rescuing of 09 fellow mariners in distress and subsequent towing of 02 dinghies safely to Carnicobar on 04 Apr 12. It is very encouraging to know the contribution of the Merchantmen in saving lives of fishermen in distress at sea. During, past one year a total 464 precious lives in distress have been saved, out of which 201 lives were saved by the Indian Coast Guard independently and remaining in coordination with merchant marines, fishermen and other resources.
