The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Indian Coast Guard at Mumbai received information from DGCOMM center on 21 Jul afternoon about MV Kanchan, a general cargo ship, stranded off Umargam, Gujarat with 12 Indian crew onboard, because to contamination in fuel rendering the Engine non- operational and no Electrical power onboard.
As per the automatic identification system (AIS), theship was en route to Mangalore, sailing at a speed of 5.6 knots and was expected to arrive there on Jul 24, 11:00.
The weather in area was inclement with winds gusting up to 50 knots and waves reaching up to the height of 3-3.5 meters.
Later the evening, the master of the vessel intimated that MV Kanchan, which was carrying steel coils as cargo, had dropped anchor and listing/ tilting towards Starboard (right) side.
MRCC Mumbai instantly activated the International Safety Net (ISN) to identify all the vessels in vicinity to assist stranded vessel MV Kanchan.
MV Hermeez, another cargo ship in vicinity, quickly responded and evacuated all the 12 crew of MV Kanchan, in a daring night operation on 21 Jul 2021.
Simultaneously, (emergency towing vessel) ETV Water Lily was dispatched by DG Shipping for assisting the stranded vessel and is likely to arrive in area by 0700 hrs on 22 Jul. In addition, the vessel owner has deployed two tugs which are also likely to reach by AM 22 Jul.