The Indian Coast Guard on Monday rescued a foreign chemical tanker carrying 23 crew members after the vessel became unstable off the coast of Paradip in Odisha.
The operation was launched after the tanker MT Seagull 9 sent a distress call while carrying around 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil. The vessel was reportedly in an unstable condition, prompting an immediate response from the Coast Guard.
The Indian Coast Guard deployed ICGS Vishwast to carry out the rescue and stabilisation operation. A specialist Damage Control Team boarded the tanker to assess the situation and prevent the vessel from becoming more unstable.
According to the Coast Guard, the team used submersible pumps to remove water from the vessel's ballast tanks. Damaged sea pipelines were also sealed as part of efforts to stabilise the tanker.
The operation also involved additional Coast Guard assets to deal with any possible pollution threat. A Pollution Control Vessel and an Offshore Patrol Vessel were diverted to the area to support the rescue operation and maintain surveillance around the tanker.
One of the concerns during the incident was the possibility of an oil spill. A minor palm-oil sheen was observed in the surrounding waters following the incident. However, an Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft conducted aerial surveillance and subsequently confirmed that the sheen had completely dissipated.
After the vessel was stabilised, the tanker was taken safely under tow towards Paradip. Coast Guard units continued to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of the crew and protect the surrounding marine environment.
The successful operation prevented a potentially serious maritime incident involving a large tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of palm oil.
The Coast Guard said its units would remain on active watch during the vessel's movement towards Paradip. The operation involved both rescue and pollution-response measures, highlighting the importance of rapid intervention when commercial vessels encounter difficulties in Indian waters.
The incident comes less than three weeks after another Coast Guard rescue operation off Gujarat. On September 11, the Coast Guard evacuated 21 crew members after the merchant vessel MV KMAX EMPEROR collided with another ship, MV TRUE MARINER, near the outer anchorage of Kandla.
The latest Paradip operation also underlines the risks involved in maritime transportation of large quantities of oil and other potentially hazardous cargo. Quick action by rescue and pollution-control teams can help prevent damage to both crew members and marine ecosystems when a vessel becomes unstable.
With the tanker now under tow towards Paradip and Coast Guard personnel maintaining surveillance, the immediate crisis involving MT Seagull 9 has been brought under control.
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