The disappearance of a 22-year-old merchant navy cadet of Bhadrak district in Odisha whose ship was on the cargo route off the Malaysian waters has caused anxiety in his family and a massive search in the sea. The missing cadet is known as Sarthak Mahapatra who was working as a maritime cadet in Anglo-Eastern Ship Management.
Based on the available information, Mahapatra lost touch with the ship EA Jersey on February 3 when the ship was heading towards West Africa and then Singapore. It is not very clear what happened to him and why he disappeared.
Mahapatra who had joined Anglo-Eastern Ship Management on July 14 last year, was last reported to enter his cabin in the morning of February 3. About 8:30 am, when the chief officer of the ship was conducting a routine check, the cabin was empty. Then a search was immediately made through the vessel.
The officials of the merchant told the family that a complete headcount of the crew was conducted and Mahapatra was not in the plane. The ship then decreased speed and made an intensive search in the waters around it. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mauritius was also put on alert to facilitate the search.
According to the family members the last time they talked to Sarthak Mahapatra was on February 2 through video and phone calls when the ship was near Singapore. Subsequent calls made to reach him post that were not responded to, which was a matter of concern.
His mother, Rashmita Mohapatra has asked Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and the state Director General of Police to step in. She had called on the authorities to liaise with the concerned agencies to enhance search operations and assist in the search and rescue of her son.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News