Navy copters rescue 19 from ship

Nineteen crew members of a sulphur-laden sinking ship -- MV Sea Empress -- which lost its balance in rough weather off the Bombay harbour, were on Friday rescued by Indian naval helicopter.

According to a defence spokesperson, the ship started sinking after water gushed into the engine room and cargo hold. The navy pressed its Sea King helicopters into rescue operations soon after an SOS call was received at 0515 hours on Friday morning from the captain, Jawed Ahmed Mufti. All the crew members were safely evacuated by the Sea Kings to the naval helibase INS Kunjali in south Bombay.

Meanwhile, a first information report has been registered with the director general of shipping and a preliminary inquiry by the marine mercantile department has been initiated.

He said that to prevent the ship from sinking, water from the engine has to be pumped out. He clarified that the ship has not capsized but it is now stranded with a four degree tilt.

Meanwhile, the ship poses a serious threat to the marine life as it is laden with sulphur and if the situation worsens, the sulphur will dissolve in the water creating an imbalance.

UNI