Sri Vijaya Puram: In a heroic effort, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued two sailors from a US yacht named Sea Angel, after it was stranded in rough seas southeast of Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The boat has now been towed to Campbell Bay.
The rescue operation began late Thursday night after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) received a distress alert from the US Consulate in Chennai.
The alert said that the yacht, with one American and a Turkish crew member, had lost power and was drifting 52 nautical miles from Indira Point – the southernmost point of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“Heroic rescue at sea! Indian Coast Guard ship Rajveer braved raging winds and rough seas to save US yacht Sea Angel with two crew, after complete propulsion failure near Indira Port. On 10 Jul 25, at 1157 hrs, ICG MRCC Port Blair received a distress alert from the US consulate in Chennai regarding yacht Sea Angel with one US and a Turkish crew, stranded 52 NM South East of Indira Point,” the ICG posted on X.
The MRCC activated the International Safety Net immediately, alerting nearby ships and launching a rescue effort. Coast Guard ship ICGS Rajveer was vectored to the location. The ship reached the yacht early on Friday morning. Coast Guard officials found the yacht’s sail torn and ropes stuck in its propeller, making it unable to move. They established contact with the sailors and checked the condition of the boat.
The vessel was taken under tow and safely taken to Campbell Bay harbour by 8.00 am on Friday. Both crew members were unharmed.
“MRCC activated the International Safety Net, and ICG Ship Rajveer was deployed for a rescue operation. Upon arrival, the yacht was found with its sail blown off and ropes entangled in the propeller. Sea Angel was taken under tow at 1850 Hrs and brought safely to Campbell Bay at 0800 Hrs on 11 Jul 25,” the ICG added.
“It may seem an easy operation, but carrying out such a rescue in the high seas in that kind of weather requires a lot of courage and expertise. One false step can lead to disaster.” An ICG official said.
