Mangaluru: Indian Coast Guard Ship Savitribai Phule, based out of Mangaluru, on Friday coordinated the rescue of all eight crew members of MSV Sumithra, which sank off the Androth Island in Lakshadweep.

The number 12 Coast Guard district headquarters at Kavaratti informed the Savitribai Phule that MSV Sumithra with 240MT of cargo – consisting of bricks, cement and vegetables – was drifting 70 nautical miles east of Androth Island since Wednesday.

The vessel had sailed from Beypore Port. Immediately, the Savitribai Phule headed towards the ship’s indicated position and launched search and rescue operations. Sea and air coordinated searches were also undertaken with Indian Navy aircraft in the area.