Arabian Sea Rescue: Crew Saved From Sinking Ship
The rescue operation was carried out in challenging weather conditions, with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard working together to rescue the crew members and prevent environmental damage. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the Arabian Sea and the need for effective emergency response mechanisms.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have successfully rescued all 24 crew members from the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3, which capsized and sank off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. The crew members, who were rescued after sending a distress signal due to flooding in the vessel, thanked the Indian Coast Guard and Navy for their help, saying they are "safe now" and grateful for the rescue.
The rescue operation was a joint effort between the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, with the Coast Guard ship ICGS Arnvesh rescuing 21 crew members on Saturday evening and the Indian Navy ship INS Sujata rescuing the remaining three crew members, including the vessel's master, chief engineer, and assistant engineer, on Sunday morning. The Indian Navy deployed two ships, INS Satpura and INS Sujata, to assist in the rescue operation, which was hampered by adverse weather conditions, including high winds and debris in the water.
The incident has raised concerns about a potential oil spill, with the Coast Guard confirming that the vessel was carrying hazardous cargo and fuel. The Coast Guard is now engaged in pollution response activities, with two vessels, Saksham and Samarth, deployed to the site, and a Dornier aircraft conducting aerial surveillance and assessment. Approximately 100 containers are feared to have fallen into the sea and are drifting towards the shore at a speed of 3 km/h.
The Kerala government has taken measures to tackle the threat of drifting cargo containers and potential oil spill after the sinking of the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off Kochi coast. A contingency plan is being prepared to coordinate underwater cleanup efforts involving the Coast Guard, Navy, Forest Department, and Factories and Boilers Department. The government has issued a public advisory urging coastal residents to stay away from unfamiliar objects and containers washed ashore and has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the deep sea near the site.
The successful rescue operation and ongoing pollution response efforts have highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and preparedness in responding to maritime emergencies. The Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and other agencies involved in the response efforts are working together to mitigate the environmental impact of the incident and ensure the safety of the public.