Sailor dies, six others go missing after a vessel capsizes off Gujarat coast

PIPAVAV - A sailor lost his life and over half a dozen crewmembers were reported missing after an Indian survey ship capsized off Pipavav coast in the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat on Saturday.he vessel had a total of 32 crewmembers onboard, out of which 25 were rescued by a fishing trawler, which was in the vicinity of the mishap.

The rescued members said they were busy drilling and suddenly the vessel started sinking and in five minutes the vessel sank.

“We were dredging and at the time of putting the anchor, we were about 20 kilometres away from the Pipavav coast. At the time of putting the anchor, we were trying to twist the vessel on the right hand side but the vessel started sinking and in five minutes the vessel sank,” said Suresh Jogi, a rescued member.

Advanced light helicopter (ALH) and Dornier aircraft of Indian Coast Guard have been pressed into service to search the missing crewmembers.

An offshore patrol vessel opv Vijaya has also been assigned from the port of Porbandar for rescue and search operations.

Meanwhile, all ships sailing or approaching this area have also been advised to keep a sharp lookout for the missing crew.

The mv Logos Searcher vessel was engaged in drilling and dredging operations for Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited (GSPC). (ANI)