After cargo vessel sinks, Coast Guard rescues 6 survivors left adrift in boat off Mangalore
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued six crew members of cargo vessel MSV Salamath, which sank in the early hours of May 14, approximately 60-70 nautical miles (some 120-130 km) southwest of Mangalore, Karnataka.
The Coast Guard said on May 14, around 12:15 pm, a distress alert was received from MT Epic Susui, another vessel transiting close by. It reported seeing a small boat — a dinghy — adrift with six survivors onboard, approximately 52 nautical miles off the coast of Karnataka.
Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram, which was on routine patrol in the area, was immediately diverted to the location. “The Coast Guard team swiftly located and safely recovered all six survivors from the dinghy,” the Coast Guard said.
Preliminary reports indicate that MSV Salamath, which departed Mangalore Port on May 12 to Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep, began flooding in the morning of May 14, leading to its sinking. The vessel was carrying a mixed cargo of cement and construction materials. The exact cause of flooding remains unknown.
The rescued crew members are Ismail Shareef, Alemun Ahmed Bhai Ghavda, Kakal Suleman Ismail, Akbar Abdul Surani, Kasam Ismail Mepani and Azmal.
Following their successful rescue, the survivors were administered first aid and transported safely to New Mangalore Port, where they arrived on Thursday. The local authorities will be conducting investigations with the rescued crew to ascertain the circumstances leading to the sinking of the vessel.
