ALFRED VINCENT DE SOUZA was a 'Radio Officer' by Proffession.
At the time he graduated, R.O's as they were called, were a very special
breed of professionals and very many trained each year but only very few
qualified each time.
The first Job assignment he undertook he completed one sailing trip on
board a Ship as a Radio Officer, to the Far East and Australia.
He then joined ONGC the premier Oil Company organisation of the Government
of India, as a Radio Officer and had been in service for the last 20 years
or so.
He was always known to be extremely proffesional in his work and rose in
the ranks steadily to become Management staff.
Though he had a 14 day on and 14 day off Work and leave pattern he always
craved for home and family.
We use to be more in touch online whilst he was at work offshore. I was
in fact keenly looking forward to him being connected to the internet at
home........and he almost was...........
I still cannot believe what has happened.
Below I have copied 2 emails which I had sent out to a couple of close and
common freinds then, on 3rd September 2003. Please read on...........
Q U O T E :
3rd Sept 2003.
Know this man any of you?...........
Yes, you all do...
Well, he is none other than our common and close friend, ALFRED VINCENT DE
SOUZA
(Son of Joan and late Eddie, Brother of late Eric and Claire from Arrarim
Saligao.)
ATTABOY Alf keep it up !!
Alfred offshore on duty at this time was called out onshore from Neelam
yesterday for a felicitation ceremony in which the ONGC Chairman, Mr.Subir
Raha, gave out awards to those who took part in the Search & Rescue
operations after the chopper crash on 11th August. Below is the article
which appeared in the ONGC website.
Maxwell Coutinho
Abu Dhabi/UAE
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
11th August 2003 was a fateful day in the history of ONGC's offshore
operations and indeed, in the history of the offshore oil industry
worldwide. On this day, at 1217 hrs, all of us were shocked numb and
enveloped by a great tragedy. The combined crew change Helicopter of
S/Kiran and S/Jyoti plunged into the water, sending waves of shock and
sorrow among us. The crash left 25 dead and 2 missing. Two ONGC employees,
Mr. A. J. Mhatre and Mr. V. S. Mandloi survived miraculously, thanks to the
heroic effort of Mr. Mhatre.
Mr. Mhatre deserves the highest praise and commendation for acting
heroically to save human life.
MR.A. V. D'Souza, Radio Officer at Neelam, who controlled search and rescue
operations:
In the eye of the storm, amidst the extraordinary stress, shock and sorrow
of the moment, there was one man who had to act swiftly and decisively,
with a cool head and enormous presence of mind. Controlling the ships and
aircraft engaged in the search and rescue operation was Mr. A.V. D'Souza,
Radio Officer manning the Neelam Radio Room. From 1217 hrs of 11/8/2003 to
0230 hrs the next morning, more than 14 hours at a stretch, there was
enormous pressure and stress focused on one man. The Radio Officers duties
involve co-ordinating and directing search and rescue operations.
The crash of 11th August 2003 was a tragedy of great magnitude. With up to
six aircraft operating simultaneously in the field and more than half a
dozen ships to monitor and direct, at this time of great shock, stress and
sorrow, it called for skill and temperament of an exceptional order to act
swiftly and decisively.
Mr. A. V. D'Souza rose to the occasion splendidly. Every radio call from
helicopters, ships, rigs, platforms and base stations was answered promptly
and efficiently. Communication was precise and clear. There was no trace of
confusion or hesitation. For the sheer skill and tireless energy of his
effort, Mr.A.V.D'Souza deserves high praise and commendation. The
performance of Mr.A.V.D'Souza, monitored by many Radio stations was highly
commended by one and all, including pilots and heads of offshore
installations. It is, therefore, highly appropriate and deserving to
express our appreciation of an outstanding performance in circumstances of
great shock and sorrow.
(The above are the personal impressions recorded by G. Ashok, Radio Officer
at S/Gaurav, who monitored Mr.A. V. D'Souza's performance in the immediate
aftermath of the tragic crash.)
I would like to add to this the contribution of the Azal Helicopters Capt.
Padmanabhan,
And Capt. Soman, who in the midst of Production sorties sighted the body of
late Shri Murthy,
10 days after the disaster floating. All the resources were mobilised for
recovery and within 4hrs.
the body was at Helibase for embalming/cremation.
Here the Contribution of the Master and Crew of Seamach-III requires
special mention.
Further, the Director (Offshore), Director (T&F), Shri NK Mitra, GGM (P)
and others who were
Coming to the Field took the pains to divert to the Seamach-III, to help
identify the body. This gesture of the Senior Officers to land on the
floater and remain there to supervise the entire Operation was a typical
characteristics of the ONGC family and its APNAPAN.
=J S CETLUR, HEERA PROCESS COMPLEX.
_______________________________________________
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