Mangaluru : Ship catches fire off coast, 46 people on board rescued

Mangalore Today News Network

 

 

According to Coast Guard sources, they received a distress call from the ship at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, 15th March. The ship, which belongs to Shipping Corporation of India, reported a fire in the accommodation area of the vessel. About eight compartments of the ship were said to be affected. The ship had 46 persons on board including 30 crew and 16 scientists. It was at a distance of about 35 nautical miles off Mangalore coast.

Responding to the situation, Coast Guard immediately diverted two ships ICGS Vikram and ICGS Sujay to the contain the calamity. Other merchant vessels in the area also responded and changed course to provide assistance.

On reaching the vessel Sagar Sampada, ICGS Vikram undertook boundary cooling on the affected area using its external fire fighting systems. A joint fire fighting team of both ships in protective gears and breathing apparatus were able to enter the affected accommodation area at about 1:30 a.m. and contain the damage.

No casualties have been reported. Sagar Sampada is said to be heading to Mangalore port for additional shore assistance.