KOZHIKODE: He woke up to the sound of an explosion in his room. The television set kept on the table lay shattered on the floor. Soon he rushed towards the window and was stunned to realise that Koosha-1, the Iranian DSV (Diving Supporting Vessel) was sinking fast. It was slanted and was getting more perpendicular to the sea level. He could do nothing but to jump into the sea. Fortunately, he managed to get hold of a life buoy and was later rescued by fishermen.Sanoop P, the 24-year-old from Thiruvangoor - nearly 16 kilometres from Kozhikode city - was one among the 73 crew members in the Iranian vessel that sank in the Persian Gulf near the port city of Assalouyah in Iran on October 20.The ship was bound for Assalouyah after work in the oil field, but capsized at around 15 nautical miles off the coast.Thirteen people including a few Indians were killed in the mishap. Though just had a narrow escape from the shocking incident, Sanoop was calm and cool on Tuesday morning. Making his parents more panicky was the least thing he wanted, it appeared. “For a few minutes, I came face to face with death.Just like the Titanic incident, the vessel was inclined. We had to crawl forward. There was a mad rush for getting life jackets. The only way was to jump into the water as the ship was sinking fast. Everything ended within 15 minutes. With the help of life buoy, I got on to a life raft. And witnessed the three-storeyed vessel going down into the deep sea,” he said. He reached Kozhikode two days ago and has been narrating the same to friends and relatives. Amidst the rush for survival, Sanoop managed to rescue one fellow crew member also. “As I was rushing to the deck, I heard a scream from inside a cabin. It was Sreeraj from Goa. He could not open the cabin door from inside and was trapped. I had opened the door and he also jumped into the water. Two people from Kasargod also escaped,” he said. After completing Marine Catering Course two years ago, Sanoop has been working in vessels. He joined Koosha-1 on March 1 as chief chef and his contract was supposed to end in September but extended for one month as work was pending.Sanoop, however, lost everything in the mishap. His mobile, laptop, and things bought for parents and relatives during his visit to Dubai sometime ago.Now, the chef is preparing to enter a new contract with the company on January 1, 2012. “We told him to stay here only,” his mother joined, “but he is not yielding to it. We can’t compel much as a job in ship has been his dream right from childhood. That’s why he quit his degree course at the halfway mark and joined the marine catering course in Ernakulam.” Says Sanoop, “Accidents can happen here also. Not many people can get a job in a ship. I love this profession a lot.”
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