• Three foreign crew members of a Panama-flagged bulk carrier who had suffered severe burn injuries were rescued after a joint operation by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard off the Goa coast.

• The three crew members were onboard MV Heilan Star. The fourth crew had succumbed to injuries.

• The medical evacuation, through joint efforts of the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, took place in the early hours of March 21.

• The Panama-flagged bulk carrier was located about 230 nautical miles west of Goa.

• On the intervening night of March 20 and March 21, the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai informed the Indian Navy of four crew members of MV Heilan Star, having sustained severe burn injuries and requiring immediate advanced medical care.

• Responding swiftly, the Navy diverted two ships, INS Vikrant and INS Deepak, from their ongoing deployment to render aid. 

• A Sea King helicopter from INS Vikrant was deployed to carry out the evacuation.

• The rescued crew were immediately flown to INS Hansa, Goa, from where they were transferred to a civil hospital for further medical care, he said.

• This operation underscores the Indian Navy’s and the Indian Coast Guard's unwavering commitment to life-saving efforts and swift response to humanitarian assistance, despite challenging circumstances, even beyond national maritime boundaries.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)