INDIA. Mumbai: In a swift rescue coordinated operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued 19 lives at sea, including 18 Indians and one Ethiopian Master from Motor Tanker ‘MT Parth’ (IMO: 9440227), a Gabon flagged vessel off Ratnagiri Coast in Konkan region of Maharashtra on Friday.
The Vessel, an Asphalt/Bitumen Tanker, reported flooding at about 9.23 am, around 41 miles West of Ratnagiri coast. The vessel departed from Khor Fakkan, UAE, on September 9 and was on passage to New Mangalore from Khor Fakkan, UAE.
Two coast guard ships save lives
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Mumbai (MRCC), Mumbai, sprang into action shortly after receiving the vessel’s distress call.
The ‘ICGS Sujeet’ and ‘ICGS Apoorva’ two Coast Guard ships that were patrolling the region, were directed to the casualty ships.
International Safety Net and NAVTEX warnings were relayed to alert other Merchant Vessels in the area. Coast Guard advanced light helicopter was deployed. ‘MV Wadi Bani Khalid’ was also directed to proceed to assist the Coast Guard vessels.
MV Wadi Bani Khalid arrived at the datum around 12.30 pm. Coast Guard ship Sujeet arrived at the same time. The Coast Guard Advanced Light helicopter too arrived in the area, and rescue operations are in progress.
The vessel (Home Port Libreville), carrying Asphalt Bitumen 3911 MT, experienced flooding in water ballast tanks and was dangerously listing. The ship is presently adrift. The crew abandoned the vessel as they realized it was likely to sink.
The owners of the vessels have been requested to augment measures to prevent marine pollution. The Director General of Shipping also has mobilized an emergency towing vessel to proceed to the area.
More than 11000 lives have been saved as a consequence of the composure, speed, and professionalism of the Indian Coast Guard in responding to the distress call, saving nearly one life every other day up to this point.
“The seamless coordination and brave efforts in coordination with merchant’s vessels have re-affirms the faith of mariners in the Indian Coast Guard’sGuard’s capabilities and capacities living up to the motto ‘We Protect’ and vindicating the adage Yatra-Tatra-Sarvatra (the here there and everywhere there is Lord Shiva),” an ICG Statement said.
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