Coast Guard on high alert after vessel with hazardous cargo sinks off Kochi
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is on high alert for pollution response following the sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kochi in the early hours of Sunday. All 24 crew members aboard the Liberian-flagged ship were safely rescued, with 21 picked up by ICG ships and 3 by the Indian Navy's INS Sujata.The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil onboard, posing a significant risk of marine pollution.advertisementICG has intensified surveillance and is deploying pollution response measures of the Kerala coast. Aircraft equipped with oil spill mapping technology are currently monitoring the area. As of now, no oil spill has been detected.
The ICG remains on standby to respond to any environmental impact or spill that may arise due to the incident.The incident took place on Saturday when distress communication was received by the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) at Kochi.The 184-meter-long vessel, travelling from Vizhinjam to Kochi, had developed a 26-degree starboard list approximately 38 nautical miles from the coast, placing it at risk of capsising. The cause of the accident is currently unknown.Upon receiving the distress call, ICG deployed a Dornier aircraft for aerial reconnaissance and rescue support. The aircraft identified liferafts in the water with crew aboard and deployed additional rafts to aid the evacuation.advertisementICG ships and two merchant vessels, MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2, were diverted to assist under global Search and Rescue (SAR) protocols.Rescue efforts saw coordination between multiple agencies. Twelve crew members were rescued by ICG ship Arnvesh and nine by MV Han Yi. By 10 PM on May 24, three key crew, including the captain, chief engineer and second engineer, remained onboard to support salvage efforts.However, early on May 25, the vessel capsised and sank at coordinates off Kochi coast. The remaining three crew were rescued by INS Sujata.Must Watch
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