The bodies of two crew members who went missing following a tragic collision between a fishing vessel and a submarine off the Goa coast have been recovered, according to a senior naval official. The bodies were found in the Arabian Sea, approximately 70 nautical miles from the shore, after a concerted effort by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).
The incident occurred on November 21 when the fishing vessel, Marthoma, collided with an Indian Navy submarine. The collision caused the vessel to sink, and the navy promptly launched a massive search and rescue operation. While 11 of the 13 crew members aboard Marthoma were rescued that same day by Indian Navy ships, two crew members remained unaccounted for.
In a joint operation conducted on Thursday, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and ONGC worked together to recover the mortal remains of the two missing crew members from the seabed near the wreckage of the fishing vessel. An Indian Navy spokesperson confirmed the recovery of the bodies, stating that the remains were located with the help of ONGC’s expertise in subsea operations.
The spokesperson added, “The Indian Navy and Coast Guard undertook a week-long search operation after the accident. Their collaborative efforts enabled the localisation of the fishing boat’s wreckage, and the bodies were recovered from the vicinity of the site.”
The tragic collision has raised concerns regarding maritime safety and the coordination between various entities operating in the Arabian Sea. The Marthoma was a small fishing vessel that had been in communication with the coast guard prior to the incident, but the exact cause of the collision is still under investigation.
The operation to locate the missing crew members was challenging, as the wreckage lay deep beneath the surface. However, with the combined resources and expertise of the Navy, Coast Guard, and ONGC, the bodies were eventually located and recovered. The remains of the two crew members are now being handed over to the authorities for further proceedings.
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This tragic accident has left the families of the deceased in mourning, and it has prompted calls for improved safety measures in both commercial and military maritime operations. While the Navy and Coast Guard are commended for their swift response and successful recovery of the missing crew members, questions remain about the circumstances leading to the collision and the measures that will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The bodies of the two crew members will be returned to their families following the completion of formalities. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future, particularly in busy maritime areas like the Arabian Sea.
The tragic event underscores the hazards that can arise in busy sea lanes, where both commercial and military vessels operate. The Indian Navy has expressed its commitment to improving safety protocols and ensuring the protection of all personnel working at sea, both military and civilian.
In the aftermath of the collision, the naval authorities have reiterated the importance of maintaining strict safety standards for all vessels, and of better communication and coordination between the various maritime forces operating in the region. As the investigation continues, the focus will be on determining how to prevent such accidents and protect the lives of those working on the sea.
