Indian Navy rescues US officer

The British westland-make Seaking helicopter, was pressed into service to evacuate Lieutenant James Humphrey from the American warship. The chopper managed to land on-board USS Hewitt, some 100 nautical miles (180 Km) from the western coast.

He was brought to Indian naval air station at Kunjali, in Colaba, and shifted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital at 12.25 pm.

“We have done this on humanitarian ground,” said Commodore Subodh Purohit, the commanding officer of INS Kunjali.

The Seaking helicopter was commanded by Capt M Ramachandra. The medical team was also on board the chopper. The chopper came back with the patient and the US ship’s medical officer, Dr Mathew Leonard.

Naval Seaking helicopter have been called upon to render similar assistance to many mariners and fishermen at sea on several occasions. “Only a Seaking can cover such big distances like 100 nautical miles at sea. Other models such as Chetak can not cover this distance in one go,” said a naval officer.

The British westland-make seaking helicoptors have been hit by the US sanctions as the US has refused to supply spares for the chopper after the Pokhran nuclear tests of May 1998.