Coast Guard rescues stranded crew

Indian Coast Guard has rescued five crew members of a cargo ship who were stranded in mid sea since April 5 due to an engine snag.
MSV NIDA, reported missing after it left Chetlat, a Lakshadweep island on April 4, was located 50 kms west of Mount Dilli near Azheekal yesterday following intensive search opeartions, a Coast Guard release said here today.
As the vessel which was to reach Beypore port here on April 5 did not do so, its owner contacted Coast Guard which launched search and rescue operation.
Air and Surface units of the Coast Guard were deployed to locate the missing vessel. Merchant vessels and fishing boats plying were also directed to keep a lookout for the missing vessel, it said.

After five days of search, the vessel was located yesterday. The five crew members were medically examined and found healthy, the release said.
The crew said the vessel had developed an engine problem soon after leaving Chetlat and from April 5 it was adrift at sea as its engine became non-operational. The vessel was also without any power during the period.