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India Gazette
20 hours ago
- General
- India Gazette
ICG transfers tow of MV Wan Hai 503 to ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior; Averts drift towards Kerala Coast
Kochi ( Kerala) [India], June 14 (ANI): In a significant development in the salvage operations of MV Wan Hai 503, the vessel's tow was successfully transferred from Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships to the ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior on 13 June 2025. This shift was essential to progress the operation, as ICG vessels have limited bollard pull - a term denoting the towing capacity of a ship, said ICG. For the past few days, ICG ships had been maintaining the vessel's position away from the coast. However, sudden deterioration in weather conditions, accompanied by strong westerly winds, caused the vessel to drift rapidly towards the shoreline. The adverse weather restricted aerial operations and delayed the embarkation of the salvage team members onto the vessel, said ICG. Despite these challenges, around 1700 hours on 13 June, a Navy Sea King helicopter successfully launched from Kochi with the salvage team and winched them onboard the distressed vessel under extremely difficult conditions. Subsequently, a 600-metre tow rope was connected to the ocean-going tug approximately 20 nautical miles off Kochi. This crucial joint operation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force enabled the salvors to take over the vessel from the ICG and continue the firefighting and salvage work. The vessel is currently being towed westward at a speed of approximately 1.8 knots and is now nearly 35 nautical miles off the coast. Three Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels are escorting the vessel while also continuing essential firefighting efforts. At the time of this report, only thick smoke and a few remaining hotspots are visible onboard Wan Hai 503 - a testament to the effective and sustained firefighting operations carried out by the ICG, which helped prevent a potential environmental disaster. The ICG is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until a suitable fate is decided by the owners of the vessel, in line with internationally accepted practices. According to the ICG, this marks a major stride in mitigating a hazardous situation and safeguarding the coastal environment. The situation is expected to further stabilise with the anticipated arrival of additional firefighting tugs to support the ongoing operation. 'The Indian Coast Guard remains ever-prepared to respond to such contingencies and continues to work in close synergy with sister services, state authorities, regulatory agencies, and private salvors to ensure the safety of life, property, and the marine ecosystem,' said ICG. (ANI)
Time of India
21 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Ship fire: ICG, Navy and IAF execute high-risk operation; tow burning Singaporean ship away from coast
In a crucial breakthrough in the firefighting and salvage mission of the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503, Indian maritime forces successfully transferred tow control of the distressed container vessel to an ocean-going tug, Offshore Warrior, on 13 June. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), which had been holding the vessel off the Kerala coast for several days, faced a fresh challenge as worsening weather and powerful westerly winds caused the vessel to drift dangerously towards the shoreline. Despite adverse conditions that grounded aerial operations and delayed the salvage team's boarding, a Navy Sea King helicopter from Kochi managed to winch team members onto the vessel under extremely challenging conditions. The team then connected a 600-metre tow line to the Offshore Warrior around 20 nautical miles off Kochi's coast. As per the official statement, the ship is now being towed westwards at a speed of 1.8 knots and is currently 35 nautical miles offshore. Three ICG Offshore Patrol Vessels continue to escort the ship and carry out firefighting efforts. While thick smoke and a few hotspots remain onboard, authorities said a major environmental crisis has likely been averted, crediting the ICG's swift and sustained response. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The ICG is now working closely with the directorate general of shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from Indian shores, until its next course of action is decided by the owners in line with international protocols.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Navy's daring mid-sea rescue stabilises drifting cargo vessel off Kerala coast amid raging fire, high seas
NEW DELHI: The tow of the distressed container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 was successfully transferred to the ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior on Friday, stabilising what could have spiralled into a major maritime disaster. The firefighting and salvage operation of the Singapore-flagged vessel is being jointly carried out by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. Despite adverse weather that restricted aerial operations and delayed the salvage team's boarding, a Navy Sea King helicopter launched from Kochi on 13 June heroically winched team members onto the vessel under extremely challenging conditions. The salvage team then managed to connect a 600-metre tow rope to Offshore Warrior approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi. The vessel is now being towed westward at a speed of 1.8 knots and is nearly 35 nautical miles offshore. Three ICG Offshore Patrol Vessels continue to escort the container ship and sustain firefighting operations. At present, only thick smoke and a few isolated hotspots remain onboard, a testament to the ICG's effective firefighting efforts that have helped avert a major environmental disaster. The ICG is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until its fate is determined by the owners, in accordance with international norms. The situation is expected to further stabilise with the anticipated arrival of additional firefighting tugs.
United News of India
a day ago
- General
- United News of India
ICG, Navy & IAF execute high-risk operation to stabilise fire-hit Singaporean vessel off Kochi
New Delhi, June 14 (UNI) In a major development in the firefighting and salvage operation of Singaporean Vessel MV Wan Hai 503, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, successfully transferred the tow of the distressed container vessel to the ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior. The ICG had been holding the vessel away from the Kerala coast for several days, but sudden deterioration in weather conditions and strong westerly winds caused it to dangerously drift toward the shoreline, a Defence Ministry statement said here. Despite adverse weather that restricted aerial operations and delayed salvage crew boarding, a Navy Sea King helicopter launched from Kochi on Friday successfully winched salvage team members onto the vessel under extremely challenging conditions. The team then managed to connect a 600-metre tow rope to Offshore Warrior approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi. The vessel is now being towed westward at a speed of 1.8 knots and is nearly 35 nautical miles offshore. Three ICG Offshore Patrol Vessels are continuing to escort the container ship and sustain firefighting operations. At present, only thick smoke and a few isolated hotspots remain onboard, a testament to the ICG's effective firefighting efforts that have helped avert a major environmental disaster. The ICG is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until its fate is determined by the owners, in accordance with international norms. The situation is expected to further stabilise with the anticipated arrival of additional firefighting tugs. UNI RBE PRS
