BARGE SINKS TAKING ONE SAILOR ALONG, OTHER CREW RESCUED

MAPUSA: A sailor drowned while six others were rescued on Monday when a barge carrying iron ore sank in the mid-Arabian sea off Sinquerim while transferring the ore on to a trans-shipper.  According to information available, at around 4 a.m. Monday, a barge MV Noor IV carrying iron ore from MPT was in the process of transferring the ore on to the trans-shipper stationed in the sea off Sinquerim when the barge sank.

The sailor who got drowned worked as an oilman on the barge and was a native of West Bengal. The six other sailors on the barge were rescued by crewmembers of the trans-shipper. No sooner the barge sank, the trans-shipper crew informed the police authorities of the accident. The Panjim town police who were informed about the incident referred the same to Calangute police station. The Calangute police registered a case and later referred it to Siolim Coastal Security Police Station where Police Inspector Mr Anthony Francisco Monserrate the Officer Incharge of the Siolim Coastal Police Station took over the investigation. All the rescued crewmembers are also non-Goans.

Meanwhile, the Captain of Ports department has notified that the barge MV Noor IV, O number PNJ-137 has sunk at Panjim outer anchorage at latitude 15 location with 15 metres depth -latitude 15 29’ 45’ North, longitude 073 43’28” East. The Captain of Ports has urged mariners to navigate with extreme caution and report any eventuality.

Police Inspector Anthony F. Monserrate is personally investigating the case.