Boat fire... rescue operation underway

A search and rescue operation has started to locate the missing crew of the Sea Horse following a fire on board the vessel in the early hours of the morning.
The cargo vessel operated by Islands Development Company (IDC) left Mahe on Friday with fuel and food supplies for the Prison Services on Coetivy.
The vessel, which was being manned by a crew of 5 arrived on the island yesterday evening and remained on anchor some 200 metres from the shore, waiting for the high tide to start offloading the cargo. This was planned for today.
Thus far, only one crew member has been found and according to information he provided the fire started on the cargo deck.
Upon noticing the fire, he jumped into the sea and swam towards the island and while he was swimming he was picked up by one of the boats from the island.
The island personnel continued searching for the remaining crew members until the arrival of the military Dornier for search and rescue assistance.
Actually, an IDC plane and a military plane are searching the areas around Coetivy island for the missing crew members. 3 boats from the island are also helping in the search, while the Coast Guard is displacing its naval vessels to assist in the search.
IDC has also sent its medical personnel to Coetivy, in the early hours of this morning.
IDC is in touch with all family members of the crew.