Indian Coast Guard rescues US yacht stranded near Indira Point

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued a US yacht in distress and its two crew members after the sailing vessel became stranded in rough seas south-east of Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, officials confirmed on Friday.

Distress alert received from US consulate

According to senior officials, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Port Blair received a distress alert from the US Consulate in Chennai at 11:57 am on 10 July.

The alert reported that the yacht Sea Angel, with two crew members, one American and one Turkish national, was stranded 52 nautical miles south-east of Indira Point.

“The vessel had got disabled amid extremely rough conditions with a blown sail and entangled propeller,” a senior ICG official said.

Acting with urgency, MRCC Port Blair activated the International Safety Net (ISN), alerting all nearby merchant vessels and initiating rescue coordination protocols.

Subsequently, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rajveer was deployed at 2:00 pm to provide immediate assistance, the ICG said.

Successful rescue operation

“Demonstrating professionalism and precision, ICGS Rajveer reached the vessel by 5:30 pm, established communication with the stranded crew, and conducted an on-site assessment,” the Coast Guard stated.

Despite encountering heavy winds and the yacht’s mechanical failure, both crew members were found to be safe and in good health.

By 6:50 pm, the yacht was safely taken under tow and escorted to Campbell Bay, arriving at the harbour by 8:00 am on 11 July.

Testament to maritime vigilance

The swift and successful rescue operation, officials said, underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to ensuring maritime safety.

“The operation stands as a testament to the ICG’s professionalism and preparedness in responding to maritime emergencies,” the official added.
(PTI inputs)