When Olive Ridley turtles saved lives in the open sea - A Rescue story Indian Coast Guard never forgot

Around fifteen years ago, somewhere in the vast, unforgiving waters of the Bay of Bengal, a Chinese vessel went down and three persons went missing. 

The missing trio was alone, exhausted, and battling a sea that showed no mercy. For hours that grew into days, they drifted, salt-stung and shivering, hoping for a miracle.

Miracle Arrived In The Gentlest Form

As their strength faded, a bale of Olive Ridley turtles appeared beside them. The sea creatures were calm, unhurried, and ancient as the ocean itself. The Chinese clung to the turtles’ broad shells whenever fatigue dragged them under. 

The Olive Ridleys did not leave them. For nearly 72 hours, the turtles stayed close, moving with the drifting men, keeping them afloat, and giving them the strength to survive the long, terrifying wait.

“When we finally rescued them, they told us how the turtles remained with them the entire time,” recalled Coast Guard IG Iqbal Singh Chauhan, sharing a story passed down to him by a former Inspector General. 

“Whenever they were tired, they rested by clinging over the turtles. The Olive Ridleys saved their lives,” said Chauhan.

Also Read: Operation Olivia: How it is protecting Olive Ridley turtles along Odisha coastline

The Indian Coast Guard found the men alive and rescued them. As they climbed aboard the rescue craft, they looked back at the water, overwhelmed with gratitude, and thanked their silent turtle companions who never abandoned them.

“This is why the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles is so close to our heart,” IG Chauhan said, hinting that we owe the nature more than we often realise.

The story of those three Chinese survivors is more than just a remarkable sea rescue- it’s a reminder of how deeply our survival is linked to the natural world we often take for granted. It is a reminder that nature protects us in ways we seldom recognise. 

Thankfully, in Odisha, where millions of Olive Ridleys arrive each year to nest, these gentle creatures are celebrated as symbols of hope and harmony.