Coast Guard Rescues Tanker Carrying 9,000 MT Palm Oil Off Paradip
Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued 23 crew members from the unstable MT Seagull 9 carrying 9,000 MT of palm oil off Odisha.
In a high-stakes maritime operation, the Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued 23 crew members from a chemical tanker that was found in a dangerously unstable condition off the coast of Paradip, Odisha. The vessel, identified as MT Seagull 9, was carrying a massive cargo of 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil when it issued an urgent distress call.
High-Risk Stabilization Operation
The maritime security agency responded to the critical distress call by deploying the ICGS Vishwast. Upon arrival, the crew found the tanker in a precarious, tilting state, posing an immediate threat of capsizing and potential environmental disaster.
To prevent a catastrophe, a specialist Damage Control Team from the Indian Coast Guard boarded the vessel under extremely high-risk conditions. The team executed several critical maneuvers to stabilize the ship, including:
- Deploying submersible pumps to manage water levels.
- De-flooding ballast tanks to correct the vessel's tilt.
- Sealing damaged sea-pipelines to prevent further instability.
Environmental Protection and Surveillance
Recognizing the potential for an ecological crisis, the Coast Guard bolstered its response by diverting a Pollution Control Vessel and an Offshore Patrol Vessel to the site. Aerial surveillance was also conducted via an ICG Dornier aircraft to monitor the surrounding waters.
The aerial reconnaissance confirmed that a minor sheen of palm oil, which had been observed on the water's surface, had completely dissipated, indicating no significant leakage occurred during the incident.
Tanker Secured and Towed to Safety
Following the successful stabilization of the vessel, the MT Seagull 9 was placed under tow. The tanker is currently being guided safely toward the Paradip port. The Indian Coast Guard has maintained active surveillance in the area to ensure maritime safety and continue protecting the marine environment from any potential threats.