New Delhi, July 28: Indian Coast Guard (ICG)’s Operation ‘Sahayta’, launched to extinguish the fire in Panama-flagged cargo ship MV Maersk Frankfurt about 80 nautical miles west of Goa, is continuing on the 10th day on Sunday. The special rescue agency contracted by the ship owner has sought assistance from the ICG for 04-05 more days before taking over the operation completely.
Meanwhile, an anchor handling tug supply ship Valiant has left Sharjah to assist the ICG, which is expected to reach New Mangalore by July 30. The ICG received information from Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (West) Mumbai about a fire on board Panama flagged cargo vessel MV Maersk Frankfurt about 80 nautical miles west of Goa.
Following this, ICG launched Operation ‘Sahyata’ in which 05 ICG ships, 02 ALH helicopters and 01 Dornier aircraft have undertaken multiple sorties till now. More than 1200 kg of dry chemical powder has been airdropped at the site. ICG has also held 02 coordination meetings with DG Shipping, State Administration, stakeholders, ports, rescue agency, ship owners and management to review the progress and find an early solution to the crisis.The ship is currently adrift at a distance of more than 37 nautical miles from the coast, 50 nautical miles south west of New Mangalore. The ship is being maintained from the Port of New Mangalore as the ship is to be brought to the same port after the completion of rescue firefighting efforts.
The ICG is working to cool down the ship and douse sporadic small flames that flare up from time to time due to sealed containers. The ICG is present on the spot with at least 02 offshore patrol vessels, which are engaged in 24×7 firefighting and operation coordination. On the10th day of Operation ‘Sahitya’, the Indian Coast Guard is also carrying out firefighting as well as pollution preventive measures. The ICG has deployed a special vessel ‘Samudra Prahari’ for pollution control. The ICG aims to protect the marine environment from any ill-effects of the fire.
This special vessel is also equipped with dynamic positioning system, which enables it to carry out firefighting operations at a very short distance from the cargo ship. Apart from this, the special pollution response team of the ICG is on standby in case of an oil spill incident.
However, according to the ICG, the fire on board MV Maersk Frankfurt does not pose any risk to the marine environment and the coastal areas of Karnataka.The ship owner has contracted a specialised rescue agency to intensify the firefighting efforts. The rescue team has sought 04-05 days more assistance from the ICG before taking over the operation completely. The agency has mobilised 02 ocean tugs, Albatross 5 to assist the ICG. ETV Water Lily, under contract with DG Shipping, is also at the scene, assisting in the firefighting efforts. In addition, tug Creative-I with specialised equipment and additional rescue personnel is expected to reach the distressed ship around noon today. Another anchor handling tug supply vessel Valiant has left Sharjah and is expected to reach by July 30.
