Rescue Operation by Indian Navy at Kavaratti

On a routine surveillance sortie at Kavaratti island, a Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) of the Indian Navy based at Kavaratti under Naval Officer In Charge (NOIC) Lakshadweep, undertook a rescue operation and saved local civilians who were observed to be drowning close to harbour mouth. At about 1245 hrs on 28 December 2021, the FIC, T-402 of Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) Lakshadweep, observed three locals in water close to Kavaratti harbour near Western Jetty. The FIC safely maneuvered keeping in navigable waters and rushed for the rescue. One of the them, Mr Rashid, was successfully picked up on the FIC and was provided with First Aid as per Standard Operating Procedures. Others were thereafter recovered by police patrol boat. Proper lookout, quick reaction and quality of training of the FIC crew ensured the men were rescued at the earliest. It is pertinent to mention that FICs of SPB squadron under NOIC(LK) are positioned in Kavaratti, Minicoy and Androth Islands at UTL for Coastal Security, Seafront Patrolling, Humanitarian Assistance and for security of naval assets since 2016.