Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) on 67th Republic Day 2016
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| CDR Sanjay Shukla (Nao Sena Medal), INS Shikra |
New Delhi, 26 January 2016
CDR SANJAY SHUKLA (03503-K), INS SHIKRA
On 22 Jun 15 at 0710 hrs, Cdr Sanjay Shukla, as Captain of
Seaking 42C aircraft, saved the lives of 19 personnel from onboard MV Jindal
Kamakshi which was in distress 40 nm north west
of Mumbai. The officer undertook the mission under very hostile weather.
The on-going monsoons with sea state 5, wind speeds in excess of 40 Kn and
swell of 4 metres had cumulatively jeopardised the stability of the vessel. Under
such circumstances the lives of its crew members relied on first available
rescue mission. The officer was tasked to evacuate personnel safely before the
ship sank.
On sighting the ship at 1000 yards due poor visibility and
non-availability of any deck, the officer decided to evacuate the crew by
winching. The conditions in the area were extremely hostile for the evolution,
with the sea being extremely rough, swell exceptionally high, gusting winds and
heavy rain resulting in marginal visibility. Apart from the precarious list to
Port, the ship was rolling excessively due to heavy swell. The helicopter was
thus required to maintain a steady hover over the ship as the winching area was
small and obstructions protruding over the top deck. During this strenuous
task, not once did the officer waiver from his hover position for almost 45
mins and exhibited exceptional piloting skills in the face of perilous weather
and sea conditions whilst he winched up the crew into the safe confines of his
helicopter.
He completed the entire mission over a period of 2 hours in
extremely hazardous conditions. Cdr Sanjay Shukla was undeterred in the face of
such demanding conditions and displayed valour, exceptional piloting skills and
resilience, battled the natural elements and successfully winched up 19 crew
members and brought them back to Mumbai safely.
The actions taken by the officer of evacuating personnel
from the scene led to saving of 19 lives. Executing such an evacuation
operation by winching under the prevalent hazardous conditions requires
exceptional bravery in risking own life as well as superlative piloting skills.
The rescue of the ship’s crew in strong winds and rain, whilst safeguarding his
aircraft and crew did involve supreme piloting skills, professional judgement
and individual act of exceptional courage by the officer and thus merits
recognition by award of Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).
CDR ASHOK KUMAR (83807-W), CCDT (MBI)
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| CDR Ashok Kumar (Nao Sena Medal), CCDT (MBI) |
In Mar 15, Dornier IN-240 had ditched off Karwar and lay at
a depth of 58m. Command Clearance Diving Team, Mumbai (CCDT (Mbi)) was tasked
for recovery of fuselage and the mortal remains of the personnel likely to be
entrapped therein. Diving to this depth was beyond both the qualification depth
of Clearance Divers, viz, 55 m and the equipment available viz 50 m. Depth also
posed danger of nitrogen narcosis that impairs the divers’ judgement and
imposed bottom time restrictions and decompression penalty. Further, the mangled condition of wreck posed
danger of snagging/ damaging divers’ equipment and was also partially sunk in
loose mud that posed problems of extracting the bodies within limited dive
time.
Sensing the urgency and importance of the task at hand, Cdr
Ashok Kumar, Squadron Commander, CCDT (Mbi), led his team by personal example
showing raw courage and devotion to purpose. He dived repeatedly for location
of the wreck and thereafter for salvage of the wreck even exceeding the
stipulated limiting line exposing him to great danger. He personally recovered
both the bodies as well as the Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) by innovatively
gaining access to them through the damaged fuselage by sheer strength, brute
force and raw courage under the prevalent dangerous circumstances.
The evolution was undertaken in dangerous conditions that
tested the limits of the officer as well as his equipment. His valiant efforts
even at his age of 50 plus years led to recovery of the bodies of two officers
and flight data recorder through sheer valour and courage in adverse
circumstances. It is evident that the officer displayed indomitable courage,
conspicuous gallantry of a very high order, which resulted in successful
completion of the salvage operation. The officer is hence recommended to be considered
for the award of Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).
ANIL KUMAR, POA (ACMD), (122947-A), INS SHIKRA
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| Anil Kumar (Nao Sena Medal), INS Shikra |
On 24 Jun 15, at 0800, Anil Kumar, POA (Aircrew Man Diver),
as free diver onboard SC 558, was directed to rescue the crew of MV Coastal
Pride. On reaching the area despite poor visibility of around 800 meters he
located the capsized ship along with all six survivors. It was decided that the
crew needed to be evacuated by winching, using double lift procedure.
The conditions in the area were very hostile with sea
extremely rough, swell exceptionally high, winds gusting to 40 knots and heavy
rain resulting in marginal visibility. In addition, with the ship having
capsized, a large amount of debris were floating around the survivor’s which
posed a grave danger to him and the survivors. These conditions were extremely
perilous and necessitated the free diver to have nerves of steel whilst being
lowered into the sea and accomplish a successful rescue.
In an exceptional display of valour in the face of the
hostile weather, with scant regard for his own life, Anil Kumar, POA (Aircrew
Man Diver) accepted the challenge of being lowered into the sea and picked up
all six crew members. His presence in the water was reassuring for the
survivors whom he motivated and carried them on his lap, one at a time, in an
orderly and professional manner.
The rescue attempt under the prevalent weather conditions
itself was a hazardous operation. Further, the sailor, by getting himself
lowered into the sea for rescue faced the danger of injury by floating debris
as well as getting swarmed by the survivors in panic. It is therefore opined
that the sailor took a risk in executing rescue operations. He had not only
proved his professional skills and stamina but his resoluteness and courage
under hazardous conditions. The gallant act of the sailor showcasing heroic
courage in saving six lives deserves recognition. The sailor is hence
recommended to be considered for the award of Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).
TP SINGH, NA I (ACMD), (224869-T), INS SHIKRA
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| TP Singh (Nao Sena Medal), INS Shikra |
On 22 Jun 15 at 0710, Thongbam Prakash Singh, NA I (Aircrew
Man Diver), as free diver onboard SC 558, was directed to rescue the crew
onboard MV Jindal Kamakshi. On arrival
at the grief stricken ship, due lack of any deck, rescue necessitated
undertaking precise winching.
The conditions in the area were very hostile with sea
extremely rough, swell exceptionally high, winds gusting to 35 knots and heavy
rain resulting in marginal visibility.
Apart from the precarious list to port, the lethal combination of
substantial roll due to rough weather and the obstructions on the ship
necessitated that the free diver be lowered onboard the stricken ship to ensure
successful winching of 19 personnel who individually had to be trained and
briefed on the winching procedure.
In an exceptional display of valour in the face of the
perilous weather, with scant regard for his own life, Thongbam Prakash Singh,
NA I(Aircrew Man Diver), accepted the hazardous task of being lowered onboard
the stricken ship. Once onboard, the sailor provided the required moral support
to the ship’s crew,and ensured safety of the helicopter whilst simultaneously
ensuring safe winching of the 19 personnel.
With complete disregard to his personal safety, he stayed onboard the
abandoned ship which was in danger of sinking till last of the 19 crew members
were winched up.
The sailor’s role in the rescue operation as a free diver
lowered on to a severely listed ship in rough seas deserves recognition. Under
the prevalent hazardous conditions of heavy rain, dangerous precarious list,
substantial roll and the obstructions on the ship, the sailor’s actions to
ensure successful winching of 19 personnel after individually training them,
indicate an exceptional display of valour with scant regard for his own life.
The sailor is hence recommended to be considered for the award of Nao Sena
Medal (Gallantry).
Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) on 67th Republic Day 2016
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