Man Survives Five Hours in Andaman Sea After Falling from Ferry Near

On a serene Sunday morning near Shaheed Dweep, a man hailing from Haryana, Vinod Ghelot, faced an unimaginable ordeal, enduring nearly five hours adrift in the vast open sea after an accidental fall from a passenger ferry. Ghelot, who works as a receptionist at a private resort on the picturesque island, was making his routine journey on the MV Strait Island, traveling from Shaheed Dweep towards Sri Vijaya Puram when the harrowing incident unfolded.

The Unforeseen Incident at Sea

Around 8:30 AM, Ghelot began to experience symptoms of seasickness, prompting him to seek fresh air at the rear of the ferry. It is widely believed that while attempting to vomit over the side, he lost his balance and, in an instant, plunged into the churning waters below. Tragically, his fall went completely unnoticed by both his fellow passengers and the busy crew members. He found himself alone, struggling against the relentless current in the immense expanse of the sea, nestled between the islands.

A Battle for Survival

Despite the immediate and life-threatening danger, Ghelot demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind and remarkable resilience. He instinctively understood that panic would be his greatest enemy and focused on staying afloat. For what felt like an eternity, he battled the relentless waves, conserving his energy while continuously scanning the horizon for any sign of help. He watched with a mixture of hope and despair as several vessels, including two large catamarans, passed by, their occupants oblivious to his desperate plight. Undeterred, he maintained his position, treading water, and periodically shouting for assistance, his voice hoarse against the sounds of the ocean. After what he described as an agonizing five hours, his unwavering persistence finally paid off. A passing pontoon, on its way back to Shaheed Dweep, heard his faint cries for help. The quick-thinking crew of the pontoon swiftly responded to his distress, maneuvering their vessel towards him and pulling him to safety aboard their deck.

Rescue Efforts and Recovery

Back on land, concern for Ghelot began to mount when he failed to arrive at his destination in Sri Vijaya Puram. His luggage, still aboard the MV Strait Island, served as the first indication that something was amiss. His vigilant manager, realizing the anomaly, promptly informed the local authorities. Police teams from Shaheed Dweep immediately sprang into action, collaborating with the Aberdeen Police Station and the Marine Police to launch a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Unbeknownst to them, the pontoon carrying Ghelot had already reached the shores of Shaheed Dweep.

Upon his dramatic rescue, Ghelot was found to be in a state of severe dehydration and suffered from painful sunburn, the result of prolonged exposure to the scorching sun and saltwater. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital on the island, where he received urgent first aid and critical medical attention. The dedicated medical professionals worked tirelessly to stabilize his condition. After a period of observation and treatment, his condition was declared stable, and he was subsequently discharged. The incident has been widely hailed by authorities and local residents alike as nothing short of a miracle. His survival is attributed not only to his incredible composure and physical endurance but also to the timely and decisive intervention of the pontoon crew, whose quick actions averted what could have been a tragic loss of life.

Source

https://thewaveandaman.com/haryana-man-survives-sea-fall-shaheed-dweep-rescue/