Thursday, November 1, 2012

Ship timeline as reported by the Crew of Pratibha Cauvery

Timeline (as told by crew members):
Sept 25: Pratibha Cauvery hired by Indian Oil Corporation reaches Chennai port with low oil diesel
Sept 28: Allowed to berth at VD3 in Chennai Port. Ship redelivered to the owner
Sept 29: Drops anchorage outside Chennai Port Limits. Waits to hear from the management on next course of action.
October8: Enters Chennai Port inner anchorage again to buy provision and stores. Gets food to last only for seven days.
October 28: Did not receive stores. Marine Gas Oil low.
October 29: Decides to run generator only for two hours as marine gas oil was low.
October 30: Signal 7 hoisted in the wake of Cyclone Nilam in Chennai Port. Sought help from VTMS, MMD and Director General Shipping. VTMS directs them to their agent who declines the plea stating that he has not received payment from office
October 31: VTMS conveys message through the agent that two tugboats are available. After 15 minutes, the ship was told that one tugboat was available. Engine started shifting anchor. Rough seas push the ship to land. Vessel 500 metres from land.
Captain seeks the tugboat promised to him. But due to rough seas, the tugboat fails to arrive
Crew members asked to assemble at muster station. Life boat lowered.

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