As a precaution against the deadly storm Biprajoy, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 people on June 13, 2023 in Okha, Gujarat, in a prompt and well-planned operation. On June 12, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was requested by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) to evacuate 50 crew members from the jack-up rig “KEY SINGAPORE/01” that was 25 nautical miles west of Okha, Gujarat.
ICG started the operation for the safe evacuation of all 50 crew members on the rig amid choppy weather and heavy seas as soon as they received the request. ICG Ship Shoor was promptly redirected for rescue efforts. ICG Helicopter (CG 858) was also set up for evacuation while in position from Rajkot to Okha.
By the evening of June 12, 2023, ICG had successfully rescued 26 crew in a tense operation. As a result, the operation was restarted at first light on June 13, 2023, and all 50 crew members were safely evacuated onshore together with the remaining 24 crew members. The procedure has been successfully finished. Beginning on June 6, 2023, the cyclone “BIPARJOY” (very severe cyclonic storm) was detected forming in the Arabian Sea. At sea, ICG has been taking proactive and preventative measures.
