Indian Navy Evacuates Injured From MV Nu Shi Nalini

Indian Navy Evacuates Injured From MV Nu Shi Nalini

Based on a request from Cochin Port Trust at about 1845 hours on 13 June 2018, Southern Naval Command launched an ALH helicopter and dispatched INS Kalpeni to provide assistance to Indian merchant ship MV Nu Shi Nalini anchored 14.5 nautical miles South West of Kochi. The ship had reported a fire incident on board in which a crew member, Yogesh Kanji Solanki, Trainee Mechanical Engineer was reported to have suffered 80% burns as a result of the fire. The casualty was winched up from the deck of the ship using a 'basket' by the ALH, whose pilots displayed great skill in the face of  adverse weather conditions, including gusting winds and torrential rain, and brought to Naval Air Station INS Garuda. The patient was thereafter shifted to Medical Trust hospital for further treatment. The fire is reported to have started in the engine room of the merchant vessel, apparently due to an internal explosion. MV Nu Shi Nalini is a chemical tanker, which was carrying naphtha. The fire was brought under control and rest of the crew is reported to be safe. Naval ships are maintaining in close vicinity of the merchant vessel and will undertake evacuation of the remaining crew, if required.