Research Ship Off Karnataka Coast Catches Fire, Coast Guard Swings Into Action And Rescues 46 On Board

A fire broke out on a marine research vessel off Karnataka’s New Mangalore coast, following which the coast guard rescued 30 crew members and 16 scientists, reports Indian Express.

The Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at Mumbai around 10 pm on Friday was informed about the fire on ocean research vessel (ORV) Sagar Sampada, Coast Guard Inspector General (West region) Vijay Chaphekar was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

The ship belongs to an institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences with almost 16 scientists onboard, and three were women, Chapekar said.

The fire broke out in the accommodation area of the vessel, and the crew were not able to control its spread. The Coast Guard pressed into service ICGS Vikram and ICGS Sujay to render necessary assistance, the official said.

“The Indian Coast Guard ships arrived at the vessel’s position just past midnight on 16 March and deployed a joint fire-fighting team to contain the blaze,” Chaphekar said.

The external fire fighting system mounted on the Indian Coast Guard ships were also used to control the spread of the blaze. It was found that eight compartments in the accommodation area were on fire, he said. Extensive fire-fighting operations were undertaken which continued for over eight hours. Following that, ORV Sagar Sampada proceeded towards New Mangalore harbour safely, Chaphekar said.