Navy sailor from city falls off patrol vessel, drowns

The deceased was identified as Jay Prasad, 27, a grade II sailor and resident of Madipakkam in the city. He was sailing in INS Car Nicobar, a highspeed offshore vessel, engaged in patrolling the coast line from Chennai to Rameswaram of Indian peninsula.

At least nine ships belonging to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard were engaged in the search operation launched for the missing Navy man on Thursday.

Sources said that he fell off the ship when it was sailing between Thondi and Jagadapattinam coast. The body was traced 50 nautical miles off Arasuneri coast in Ramanathapuram, they added.

Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, Flag Officer Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA), said, “It was a rough sea and bad weather, during which the sailor fell overboard, in an unfortunate incident. The mortal remains were found near Palk Bay. He is from Telangana and the mortal remains will be handed over to the family.” The sailor had joined the crew of INS Car Nicobar only last month, before which he was posted on a ship based at Kalwa near Mumbai.