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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, DECEMBER 27: The irony of US sanctions against India could not have been more blatant today when a US Naval officer suffering an acute bout of appendicitis aboard the American warship, USS Hewitt, was rescued by the Indian naval Seaking helicopter. After the Pokhran blast, USA had refused to supply the spare parts for this Seaking model to India.
But today the Indian Navy carried out the rescue mission 100 nautical miles off the Mumbai coast, after receiving an SOS from USS Hewitt in the International waters.
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.
