KPT's role in rescue operations highlighted

Besides cargo handling activities, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has also emerged as a powerful force to rescue stranded people and distress vessels on the coastline and deep sea of the country's territorial waters.
The Balochistan government approached the KPT to rescue stranded people at open sea near Gaddani coastline and buses, carrying about 300 passengers, trapped near Agore, some 180 kilometres from Karachi. Following Meteorological Department's warning about the cyclone threat on June 25, the KPT got alerted and rescued many fishing and passenger boats and ships in distress.
This was stated by KPT Chairman Vice Admiral Ahmed Hayat (retd) while talking to Business Recorder here on Wednesday.
He said as soon as the Gaddani administration informed the KPT that since they did not have the required equipment, they were, therefore, not in a position to rescue the stranded fishermen.
Responding to the Gaddani administration's SOS, Admiral Ahmed said the KPT, in collaboration with the Pakistan Navy, airlifted eight fishermen.
The Balochistan Chief Secretary also contacted the KPT for rescuing stranded people in open sea at Gaddani and six buses, carrying about 300 passengers, who were trapped after the collapse of the bridge on Hangore river, he added.
Admiral Ahmed Hayat said: "We co-ordinated with Pakistan Navy and sent helicopters to locate the actual spot. However, the helicopter, after spotting the passengers, dropped food, water and blankets." Despite the possible threat of tropical cyclone to the country's largest harbour, the KPT handled around 115,000 tonnes of all kinds of cargoes on Monday.
All cargoes had been intact at plinth and sheds during the toughest day, he said, adding: "No cargo discharging from vessels at both the wharves were affected, except the consignment of cement due to its nature.
"We prepared ourselves to face the cyclonic conditions and we remained in constant contact with the Meteorological Department and after every half hour, we were informed by the Met office to monitor its intensity and its direction," he said.
Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, Admiral Ahmed Hayat said: "The KPT warned all international shipping liners against the cyclonic conditions and get ready for any untoward possibility, if cyclone hits the Karachi harbour. "The merchant navy vessels require four hour prior notice to prepares themselves to sail from the harbour," he pointed out.
Due to high wind pressure, ropes of two tankers were broken and the KPT deployed tugs alongside the tankers at oil piers on June 25 to avoid any accident.
Referring to the international procedure in case, cyclone hits any port, the arriving and berthed vessels have to sail out from the harbour to avoid serious damages, he said:. "The port authority gave two-hour prior notice to all ships berthed at both the wharves to move out of the Karachi harbour to save the port's and vessels assets."