Chennai, July 10, 2007 :

At 1230 hours on 9th July 2007, amidst high swells and battering waters of around 4 meters and wind velocity of 35 knots, SAMUDRIKA 10 which was deployed in Bombay High at about 56 nautical miles from Mumbai, sank. Samudrika 10, a 1986 built OSV (Offshore Supply Vessel), was taken over by Sical on 04 July 07 from SCI as part of the 17 vessels under contract to Sical by ONGC. Senior officers of ONGC and Sical’s project officials rushed to the accident site to oversee the search and rescue operations.

Samudrika 10 was on standby mode due to bad weather waiting for transfer of cargo to ONGC’s drilling rig Sagar Gaurav operating in Bassein & Satellite field of ONGC. The vessel sailed out of Nhava Supply base of ONGC, on 06th July 07 in full sea worthy condition and complied with all requisite certification as per statutory requirement. The vessel completed its last statutory dry dock in February 2006 and the next statutory dry dock was due in November 2008. The safety equipment on board consisted of 7 rafts (all serviced and in – date) with a total life saving capacity of 120 Men as also life jackets for 32 adults (All batteries in-date). The crew had a combined sea faring time log of over 100 man years of ship going experience but the extent of weather change and the fury of nature overwhelmed the vessel.

On 9th July 2007 at 0001 hours, while vessel was cruising, it received steering flood alarm on bridge by Duty Officer who informed the Captain immediately. Captain reported to the bridge and decided to anchor the vessel to control the situation of flooding in the steering flat and about 0100 hrs vessel anchored off Sagar Gaurav. Several attempts by ship staff to enter steering flat failed due to very bad weather and heavy swell and casing cargo on the deck. Through the entire period Captain and senior officers were on bridge in constant touch with Nhava Radio. At about 0930 hrs vessel picked up anchor and started drifting and awaiting for tow. At about 1145 hrs vessel Nand Panna reported for tow.

At about 1200 hrs tow ropes were connected with Panna. At about 1215 hrs, Nand Panna commenced towing (till then vessel was in very safe condition other than 5 degree stern trim which is normal with heavy cargo). At about 1225 hrs vessel started listing on the Star Board side and tow was disconnected by Nand Panna. At 1235 hrs, vessel started sinking by stern. The vessel received several heavy swells as a result of which the vessel went down by stern and could not come back to normal position due to unexpected shifting of heavy cargo and aggravated weather conditions.

The number of crew onboard as filed with DG Shipping was 17 and all their statutory certificates were valid and in-date.

Nine have been rescued and brought back to Mumbai by ONGC Helicopter after providing necessary first aid in the offshore. Immediate exgratia has been provided to all rescued crew by ONGC. After medical check up at Helibase has been carried out, Sical has taken charge of the rescued crew.

Details of crew rescued is as follows:

* Alok Kumar Singh – Oiler
* M.K.Chauhan – Chief Officer
* Umesh Sawant – A/B Seaman
* Ranjeet Pandey – Trg. Seaman
* Om Prakash – Trg. Seaman
* A.K.Singh – C/Engg
* D. Patil - Oiler
* Arvind Kumar Yadav – Seaman
* Jagdev Singh – 2nd Engg

Rescue and search operations for the 8 missing crew are going on full swing.

The missing crew details are below:

1. Capt.Gurubachan Singh
2. Mr.Unnikrishnan.K – R O
3. Mr.Rajendra Singh – E O
4. Mr.Rajveer Singh - Bosun
5. Mr.Vivek Kumar - A/B Seaman
6. Mr.Shyam Ji – A/B Seaman
7. Mr.Shivmohan Tripathi – Oiler / WK
8. Mr.Sukanta Banerjee - Cook

In addition to one ONGC helicopter and the three ONGC offshore supply vessels and two vessels of M/s British Gas are involved in search and rescue operations. Immediately after the incident, one more ONGC helicopter has been pressed into service including one coast guard Dornier aircraft. One ONGC multi support vessel has also been mobilized for rescue and search operations with divers and doctor on board.

The operations will continue during the night also. On being apprised of the situation, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum Mr. Murli Deora has got the Navy to also send an additional chopper for search and rescue operations. All platforms, rigs and vessels of ONGC in the area have been advised to keep a close watch during the night. Maritime search applies for a minimum 72 hours and we hope there are positive results.

“All our combined efforts are focused on the rescue operations. Our senior officers are in contact with the families and will be ensuring that they are given immediate updates. We pray for their safety and hope they would be able to join their families soon,” informed Karthik Menon, Director, Sical Logistics Ltd.

Contact:

Samantha Unnikrishnan – Samantha.unnikrishnan@ogilvy.com
Ogilvy PR Worldwide
Phone No. - +919840284080

Richa Tilokani – richa@sical.com
Sical Logistics Ltd
Phone No. - 044-22350061