Search for 12 missing crew members of a country-made vessel that capsized in the Arabian Sea due to rough weather is on by the Coast Guard, which saved 11 crew members of another vessel.

Most of the crew members belong to the port town of Salaya in Jamnagar district. Coast Guard officials said the rescue operation has been going on since 12 noon on Thursday and that heavy rains and high velocity wind have made the search difficult.

Both the vessels — Safina Hussain and Al Khwaja-A-Karam — had reportedly fallen victim to rough weather after low pressure developed over the Arabian Sea.

On its way to Salaya from Sharjah, the vessels capsized some 26 nautical miles north-west off the Okha coast in Jamnagar.

“Eleven members of Safina Hussain, which partially sank, have been rescued and search is still on for the crew of another vessel,” said Coast Guard district operation commander Manish Kumar, adding, “The Coast Guard team has been trying its best. But heavy rains and strong wind have made the work difficult.”

Adam Bhaya, president of Salaya Vessels Owners Association, said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed. Most of the crew members are from our town. The entire town has been praying for their safety.”

It was Bhaya who first received a message from one of the vessels about the mishap and immediately passed it on to the Coast Guard head quarters in Porbandar. He said both the vessels are registered at Salaya and had left for Gulf from Gujarat a month ago with various goods.

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