One ONGC-owned Offshore Supply Vessel 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. It started taking water and sank around 12.30 hrs on 9th July, 2007.

Samudrika-10 was operating in the sea at about 56 nautical miles from Nhava Supply Base of ONGC at the time of the incident. The sea conditions were reported at the time of incident as 3-4 meters swell, and 30-35 Knots wind speed.

The vessel was operated by M/s. SICAL Logistics Ltd, Chennai, under an Operation & Maintenance Contract.

Out of the 14 manifested crew members, nine have been rescued. Regional contingency committee consisting of ONGC, Indian Navy, FODAG, Coast Guard and DG Shipping were immediately informed and activated for search and rescue operations. In addition to one ONGC helicopter and 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 night also. On being apprised of the situation, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum Mr. Murli Deora has got Navy to also to 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.

Senior officers of ONGC have rushed to the accident site to oversee the search and rescue operations.

The rescued crew have been brought back to Mumbai by ONGC helicopter after providing necessary first aid in the offshore. Medical check up at Helibase has been carried out. Immediate ex-gratia has been provided to all rescued crew by ONGC and they have been entrusted to their employer M/s SICAL logistics Ltd.

The vessel was constructed in 1986 and completed its last statutory dry-dock in February 2006. Next statutory dry-dock was due in November, 2008. The vessel sailed on July 6, 2007 from Nhava Supply Base of ONGC in full sea-worthy condition and complied with all requisite certifications as per the statutory requirement.