Kochi | The Indian Navy engaged in search and rescue operations in Cyclone Ockhi-hit seas off Kerala and Lakshadweep extended help by giving fuel to a foreign vessel stranded off Minicoy Island.
INS Shardul encountered tug ‘Bes Power’ of Singapore stranded due to the cyclone 35 nautical miles north-east of Minicoy Island late last night.
On interrogation, the tug crew requested 45 tonnes of fuel to continue passage to Maldives.
“Fuel was transferred to the Tug in true naval ethos of being the first responder to all,” a Defence spokesman said here today.
Meanwhile, a Dornier aircraft and a ship of the Navy have left for rescuing a boat stranded with 15 persons near Lakshadweep islands after receiving a message through an aircraft flying near Kochi, the spokesman said.
He also said a Coast Guard Ship Vaibhav has recovered two bodies off Alappuzha.
