The Indian Navy successfully rescued a Maldivian ship ‘MV Maria 3’ which had suffered propulsion failure and was adrift for five days at high sea.
At the time of rescue, the Maldivian ship had six sailors on board, including a woman, from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives, said a statement issued by Indian Navy here on Wednesday.
The statement said that the ship, which had departed from Male on May15, had lost contact with shore from next day following which the Maldivian Coast Guard had sought Indian Navy’s assistance in search and rescue operations.
“Dornier Aircraft of the Indian Navy, which is capable of undertaking multi-roles, was deployed to Maldives at short notice to assist the Maldivian Coast Guard in SAR operations. Late on May 20, the Dornier, during the aerial surveillance had located the drifting ‘overdue’ ship about 150 nautical miles south east of Male, with all survivors safe onboard,” said the statement narrating the rescue operation.
Accordingly, Indian Naval warship INS Kirch was informed about the Maldivian vessel’s location, following which the adrift ship was towed back to Male.
