PTI
On board ICGS Sagar, Feb 20: While the Indian Coast Guard displayed its prowess at the sea to Defence Minister A K Anthony during the fleet review, Commandant Sanjay Aryavir is one of the live faces of the Coast Guard's bravery offshore.
Heading the Chetak squadron at the Coast Guard's Goa base, Aryavir, who piloted the helicopter that brought the Minister on board for review, has been awarded 'Tatrakshak Medal' (Coastguard medal) for his bravery during last monsoon off Karwar coast. He along with his helicopter squadron had managed to rescue almost all the 19 occupants on the ship MV Ocean Serayaa off Karwar coast in neighbouring Karnataka.
"The ship had got caught in the rocks. After hitting constantly against the rock, it had started cracking. We got the distress call and we flew to the spot," Aryavir said while recounting the Coast Guard's life saving mission.
The Coast Guard managed to rescue all but one ship occupant during the rescue mission.
MV Ocean Serayya, a Singapore-registered vessel, had drifted with strong winds off the Karwar coast. The ship still lies at the spot divided into two halves after spilling much oil in the ocean.
"It was a difficult task because the winds were blowing at a speed of 35 to 40 knots per hour," recalled Aryavir.
"It was a 35-minute flying from Goa base and we flew braving all odds," the pilot stated.
"Landing on the ship was almost impossible and we had to pick up people from little spaces available on the bridge of this merchant navy ship," he recalled.
"The operation was not over after rescuing people... We had to keep a constant vigil on the ship and also check the oil pollution," Aryavir, who has 3,000 hours of flying under his belt, stated.
The MV Ocean Serayya operation continued for almost three weeks when Indian Coast Guard, braving rough weather, managed to control the oil spill.
"The greatest satisfaction was when we rescued people and brought them to the shore.... It's the greatest reward," the pilot stated.
Complete Coverage of the Shipwreck by Daijiworld: