Kolkata, July 23: A major ecological disaster was averted off the Andamans coast after the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) took charge of an LPG tanker that lost propulsion power and was at risk of running aground. The ANC received a distress call from the Mozamique-flag MV Pyra that was on its way from the Khor al Fakkan Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore.
“Demonstrating alert vigilance and a mission-ready response, ANC launched ‘Op Lancer’ after receiving a distress call from the Not Under Command (NUC) vessel MV Pyra,” the ANC posted on X. “Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard ships, along with three tugs, were swiftly deployed to assist MV Pyra, which had lost propulsion and was adrift, risking grounding. The vessel was safely anchored in India’s territorial waters off Great Nicobar Island (GNI), averting a potential ecological disaster and ensuring the safety of life at sea,” the ANC said.
A naval technical team immediately boarded the vessel and is providing technical assistance to the vessel, it added. The 224-metre-long vessel has a gross tonnage of 45,029 tonnes. However, it is not known how much cargo it is carrying. It left the UAE on July 1 and was to reach Singapore in about 20 days.
“The ship seems to have lost power and was drifting at a speed of about 0.5 knots when she was located and secured after a co-ordinated air-sea operation,” an official said. Had the ship got grounded, it would have been extremely difficult to extricate it. In case of a rupture in the tanks, its hazardous cargo could have flowed out, causing an explosion. The crew were also at great risk.
The official said that the ship’s master has got in touch with the owners and managers, seeking necessary assistance. The ANC has not yet announced whether the engines can be repaired and the ship can sail away on its own towards Singapore. “The operation underscores the ANC’s unwavering commitment to maritime safety and security, ecological protection and the timely assistance of vessels in distress,” it has said.
IANS
