On June 13, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) carried out a swift and well-coordinated operation to evacuate 50 individuals as a preventive measure ahead of the severe cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ in Okha, Gujarat. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) had requested the ICG to evacuate the crew from the jack-up rig ‘KEY SINGAPORE/01’, which was located 25 nautical miles west of Okha.
Upon receiving the request, the ICG immediately initiated the rescue operation despite the challenging weather conditions and rough seas. The ICG Ship Shoor was diverted for the rescue mission, and the ICG Helicopter (CG 858) was positioned from Rajkot to Okha for evacuation support.
By the evening of June 12, 2023, the ICG had successfully evacuated 26 crew members. The operation resumed at first light on June 13, resulting in the safe evacuation of the remaining 24 crew members. All 50 crew members were brought safely ashore, completing the operation successfully.
The cyclone ‘Biparjoy,’ categorized as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, had been forming in the Arabian Sea since June 6, 2023. The ICG had been actively undertaking preemptive and preventive measures at sea in response to the cyclone.