The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday averted a potential maritime emergency after a Belize-flagged chemical tanker carrying 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil developed a serious list following an engine failure and flooding off the Odisha coast.
The MT Seagull 9, carrying 23 crew members, issued a distress call at around 7.30 am on September 27, approximately 37 nautical miles east-southeast of Paradip.
The ICG promptly deployed ICGS Vishwast to the vessel. A specialist Damage Control Team boarded the tanker and carried out emergency operations, including deploying submersible de-flooding pumps, arresting the leakage and blanking two damaged seawater pipelines. A third fractured line was also contained, preventing the vessel from capsizing.
The Coast Guard subsequently strengthened the response by deploying a Pollution Control Vessel and an additional Offshore Patrol Vessel. ICG Dornier aircraft operating from Bhubaneswar conducted aerial surveillance to monitor the vessel and surrounding waters.
A minor palm-oil sheen detected near the tanker on September 27 was found to have completely dissipated during follow-up aerial surveillance on September 28, the Coast Guard said. Pollution-response measures remain in place as a precaution to protect the marine environment.
After the tanker was stabilised, Paradip Port Authority tug Dolphin took MT Seagull 9 under tow towards the anchorage area off Paradip.
ICGS Vishwast and other specialised Coast Guard assets remain deployed in the area, maintaining surveillance and providing operational support.
The incident was reported by the Press Information Bureau in a release issued on September 28.
