We all swam as a group for 5 hours before help came: Survivors from sunken ONGC barge

Abhishek Awhad (right) and Vishal Kedar. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Two helpers who were working on barge P-305, which capsized off Mumbai's coast during Cyclone Tauktae on Monday night, recounted the events leading up to their dramatic rescue by the Indian Navy. The duo spoke of how they were exhausted from swimming for four to five hours but stuck together in the rough seas before they saw the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kochi. The Indian Navy, which has been conducting a rescue operation, deployed helicopters on Thursday to search for 26 workers, while 186 have been rescued and 49 bodies have been recovered.

A helicopter pressed into service by Indian Navy brings rescued barge workers to INS Shikra on Wednesday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Abhishek Awhad, 19, and Vishal Kedar, 21, two friends from Sinnar, Nashik, were working as helpers on the barge. They were rescued by the Navy. The duo said that the captain of the ship let the barge remain near the platform where it was working despite the cyclone warning.

Awhad, who joined the barge a month and a half ago, said that he used to help with repairs. When the barge received information about the cyclone, the captain said that the barge is in the right place and that there would be no problems. However, government officials said that at night, the anchors of the barge gave away and it started drifting and went on to hit one unmanned platform before capsizing.

Also Read: Lack of time, miscalculation in estimating intensity pushed ONGC vessels into cyclone whirlwind: Sources

When the barge started filling with water, the captain told everyone to wear lifejackets and that help has been sought from the Navy.

"On the instructions of the captain, we jumped into the water and kept swimming for four to five hours. A group of 15-20 people was formed while jumping into the water. We were supporting each other," Awhad said.

Vishal Kedar and Abhishek Awhad. Pic/Suresh Karkera

"Early on Tuesday, we saw INS Kochi, 200 to 300 meters away. It was still dark. We were trying to get to the ship but due to the stirring sea and the strong wind, we were finding it difficult to move forward. We somehow reached the ship and a rope was thrown for us. I fell thrice while trying to climb onto the ship," Awhad said.

"Had the captain brought the barge to the shore, the accident would not have occurred," Awhad said.

"When we jumped into the water wearing our lifejackets, it felt like we are seeing death in the strong winds and the high waves rising in the sea. The Indian Navy rescued us, gave us fresh clothes.

Everything that we had on the barge went down with it. The Navy helped us contact our families. We all were crying on the phone," Kedar said. "While we did not lose hope, had the Navy not come when it did, it would have been difficult for us to survive," Kedar said.

As many as 6,961 persons stayed safe at 342 oil and gas installations dotting the western coast when the severe cyclone Tauktae rammed through, but equipment malfunction at five vessels put 714 people at risk, leaving at least 49 dead and 37 other missing.

Arjun MT

Kin of others wait for news

Another seafarer, Arjun MT's cousin, Anish K Ramchandran, said, "Arjun's wife was in touch with him till Sunday. But after the capsizing, we have not been able to contact him. We tried to contact the company, Certification Engineer International Limited (CEIL), but they said they are waiting for information from the ONGC. When we contacted the ONGC helpline, they said they are waiting for an official list. Arjun's name is not on any list so far. He married three years ago."

Another seafarer, Anthony Edwin, from Kerala, is yet to be found. His brother, Dani, said that they got a call from him last on Monday morning. "So far, Anthony's company has received no information from the Navy, they said," Dani told mid-day.

Woman seeks Navy's help

Yatin Vikram Singh, who was working on the Varprada ship of Glory Ship Management Private Limited as a Chief Officer has not been located yet. His wife, Rajni Singh, has not been able to find any information about him. "I spoke to him three days ago. His mobile has been switched off since then. I called the company but no one is telling me anything. I request the Indian Navy to find out where my husband is and give me some information," Rajni said. An Indian Navy spokesperson said that two workers from Varprada have been rescued so far.

Anthony Edwin

Rescue operation

The Navy spokesperson said that six ships are engaged in the rescue operation, each ship having 300 to 400 personnel. In addition, two Chetak helicopters, two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and three Surveillance Aircraft P-81s are also engaged in the operation. Also, 70 to 100 people are involved in the operation. Navy spokesperson Mehul Karnik said, "We were out on the spot as soon as the SOS was received and our rescue operation has been going on since Monday. We are engaged in the rescue day and night. These search operations are being carried out 100 km from the site of the incident."

20
Approx. no. of people in group that stuck together

Inputs from Agencies