P 8 - I squadron continues search op to locate survivors of cyclone Ockhi, says Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar

shanmughasundaram.j@timesgroup.com

Vellore

The country’s long-range maritime reconnaissance and Anti-submarine Warfare Squadron, P 8 – I, is continuing its rescue operation to locate the survivors of Cyclone Ockhi to bring them back home safely.  

Equipped with 300 Micron microscope infrared surveillance camera and state-of-art sensor and communication system, the P 8-I squadron, which is famously known as ‘The Skylions’, has been playing a vital role in the rescue operation of survivors of the cyclone.  It helped to locate several stranded fishermen and their boats and passing the information about their location the Indian Navy and Coast Guard’s helicopters and ships at the base to carry out the rescue operation, according to sources in INS Rajali.

“From the first day onwards, the Indian Navy is committed to bringing all the fishermen and their boats, who are hit by cyclone Ockhi, back to safety. We are committed to bringing all the fishermen back home safely,” Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, Flag Officer Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area, told reporters after the passing out parade of pilots at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, on Saturday.

The entire maritime assets have been put to effective use for the rescue operation, he said and added that the cyclone was peculiar as it developed into a depression to deep depression and graduated into cyclone very fast. “The Navy deployed at one point in time, a total of 1o ships and 12 aircrafts and the P 8-I was coordinating all search as it has long range, good sensor and effective communication system,” he said.

The P 8-I squadron was first deployed in the south of Kanniyakumari and gradually widened its search operation to West Coast of the country, along with the coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. “It directed the helicopters and ships to the place where the fishermen and their stranded, damaged or capsized boats were located to rescue them. It also communicated to the merchant ships in the areas about the survivors,” he said.

He added that they used all the marine assets available in the area and left no stone unturned to see the fishermen come back safely. Working in coordination with the Tamil Nadu government, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard saved hundreds of fishermen. “If any boats or fishermen were found stranded, we provided them fuel and water. We also towed their boats to safety, if they required,” he further said./eom/shan/