Search and Rescue Operation for the Missing ONGC Helicopter Crew

Search and Rescue Operation for the Missing ONGC Helicopter Crew

The search operations by Indian Navy for the crashed Pawan Hans helicopter (C/s VT-PWA) continued throughout the night of 13 January 2018 and have been continuing thereafter.

INS Teg with its integral helo assumed the duties of Senior Officer Search Force commencing 1715 H on 13 January 2018 and coordinated the search and rescue efforts with IN, ICG & ONGC assets.

In addition, IN Dornier (medium range aircraft) and P8I (long range aircraft) continued to augment surface search efforts late in the night of 13 January 2018 and efforts with helicopters Seaking SK 520  and Chetak CH 429 (Ex INS Teg) have been continuing since AM 14 January 2018. Additional debris sighted by ships/ aircraft are being recovered.

INS Makar, a special hydrographic ship with side scan sonar capability will supplement search efforts commencing PM 14 January 2018. A total of 16 ships (02 IN, 05 ICG and 09 ONGC) and four aircraft (Seaking/Chetak from IN & Dornier/Chetak from ICG) have been on task since AM 14 January 2018.

OSV TAG-15 (with side scan sonar) and OSV Samudra Sevak (OSV) are currently undertaking survey/ diving in the area All other IN, ICG and ONGC assets are participating in the search for locating the missing crew and debris of aircraft.