A Seaking 42B helicopter, during search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi, picked up a lone survivor, from a boat 30 nautical miles (54km) off Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday night. The helicopter was piloted by Captain P. Rajkumar. SAR operations at night are rendered extremely difficult owing to reduced visibility.
The biggest challenge during this mission was the decision to send an aircrew diver (ACD) into the water to help the survivor put on the harness. The ACD would be left in the water to be picked up later.
The Seaking started from Kochi at 1pm on Friday, and switched off at 1am on Saturday, flying non-stop after hot refuellings (with engines operating).
It picked up the survivor from a raging sea, swell of 5 metres with 50knot winds and heavy rains. A low manual hover of 10 to 15ft had to be maintained.
On Sunday, 17 fishermen were rescued after spending five days in the sea off the Kerala coast, which was battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.
According to reports, 13 fishermen were rescued from the high seas by INS Kalpeni on Sunday morning and handed over to the authorities in Kollam.
Four aircrafts of the Air Force, three of the Navy, and 10 naval ships have been undertaking search operations since morning. Coast Guard ships were also engaged for rescue efforts.
(Inputs from PTI)
