CANACONA
When Milroy Fernandes, a sailor from Agonda, along with a fellow Goan from Salcete joined the container ship MV Maersk Honam, little did he realize that their they would be struggling to save their lives six days later.
One sailor died and four were reported missing, while 22 others were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard following a blast on the vessel in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday.
The two Goan sailors on MV Maersk Honan were among the 23 sailors who reportedly jumped into the sea after the explosion on the ship. Three of them sustained injuries after jumping off the ship and are being treated at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital. Four others, two Filipinos, a South African and an Indian are still reported missing.
Milroy Fernandes of Agonda along with a fellow Goan had joined the ship barely a week before the tragedy struck the vessel in the Arabian Sea on March 6.
“Both of them are safe and healthy, and though distressed, are in safe conditions arranged by the shipping company in Cochin,” said Milroy’s father, Caitano Fernandes, a retired seaman.
“My son spoke to us on Saturday and assured that he was safe and in the care of his company. All of them are being provided all the needed assistance, including counselling and treatment. But were unsure if and when Milroy was likely to come home,” said Caitano.
Narrating the harrowing sequence of events on Tuesday midnight, Caitano recalled: “We received a call at on Tuesday midnight. A Maersk shipping official informed us that the cargo ship, which Milroy had joined a week ago, had caught fire.”
“They were unable to give us further details, but all of us -- my wife, our daughter-in-law and our small grandchildren -- could not sleep. Desperate for more news about Milroy, I called up the company at about 2.30 am and they assured to call us immediately as soon they got further details.”
“True to their word, we got their call at 4.30 am to let us know that all were safe and there was nothing to worry.”
“It was, however, a very uneasy situation for us and we continued praying to God,” said Caitano.
“At about 9.30 am on Wednesday, we got a call from our son, who spoke very briefly to let us know that he was safe and that they were being ferried to Cochin. We were glued to the internet to gather as much news as possible.”
Milroy then called them each day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Cochin.
Caitano was informed that a blast was heard in cargo section of the ship and as soon as flames were noticed, sailors were asked to wear safety jackets and jump into the sea.
They were picked up by a Navy vessel after some hours and handed over to the Coast Guard, who reportedly rushed two of the seriously injured sailors to Cochin, where one of the sailors later succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports, there were 13 Indians, 9 Filipinos, one Romanian, one South African, two Thais and one from the UK on the ship.
