Tugboat Links to Blaze on Vessel Transporting Dangerous Goods Off Kerala Coast

Image Credits: Indian Coast Guard/X
A recent report from the Indian Coast Guard reveals that they, along with a salvage team, have successfully attached a towline to the MV Wan Hai 503, a cargo ship flying the Singapore flag that has been ablaze off the coast of Kerala.

The fire broke out on June 9, approximately 44 nautical miles from Beypore. The vessel is loaded with 1,754 containers, including 143 containing hazardous materials like pesticides and flammable liquids. Additionally, it carries around 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks situated near the fire’s origin.

on June 11—two days post-incident—a collaborative effort between the Indian Coast Guard and MERC Salvage Master from Gujarat’s Vishwakarma group led to this significant milestone. A helicopter deployed by ICG lowered five salvage crew members and an aircrew diver onto the front section of the ship. Despite facing intense heat and thick smoke conditions, they managed to secure a connection to tugboat Water Lily.

This connection was hailed as a crucial advancement in managing what could be an environmental disaster. According to updates from Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), while about 40% of the fire is under control now—originating in front bays—it continues to burn dangerously close to fuel tanks. Although no major structural damage has been reported yet, officials noted that the ship is listing at about a 15° angle with ongoing thermal risks.Experts are notably concerned about potential BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) scenarios if vapors ignite due to extreme heat conditions surrounding flammable liquids onboard. Such an explosion could pose severe threats not only locally but also environmentally.

Citing data from INCOIS (Indian National Center for Ocean Data Services), reports indicate that several containers have already fallen into nearby waters due to flames; these are drifting towards Kerala’s coastline between Kozhikode and Thrissur—and possibly even reaching parts of Tamil nadu or Sri Lanka depending on weather patterns. While authorities haven’t confirmed how many containers were lost at sea yet some have reportedly burst open upon impact with water.

To mitigate navigation hazards posed by floating containers, authorities are contemplating sinking them strategically while collecting water samples along coastal areas for environmental assessments.

Currently adrift approximately 65 nautical miles offshore at one knot speed without any crew onboard—the vessel continues emitting smoke as it drifts south-southeastward slowly.Initial discussions included towing MV Wan Hai 503 away from busy shipping lanes into safer waters within central Arabian Sea regions or potentially docking it at New Mangalore Port onc firefighting efforts stabilize sufficiently enough for safe transport.

Firefighting operations led by ICG have made notable progress in reducing onboard flames using foam and dry chemical suppressants aimed at cooling boundaries while recovering containers effectively too! Tug Saroja Blessing has already been dispatched carrying firefighting foam supplies—with plans underway for additional resources soon!

International firefighting experts hailing from Spain, UK & Netherlands are expected shortly pending visa approvals—to bolster local efforts further!

Of note among those aboard were initially twenty-two crew members; eighteen were rescued thanks largely due cooperation between Navy & Coast Guard teams! Sadly four remain unaccounted—including two Taiwanese nationals alongside others hailing Indonesia & Myanmar—as search operations continue utilizing various vessels supported aerially too!

Among those saved so far—five sustained injuries—with one Chinese national discharged after treatment while two others remain hospitalized under intensive care supervision currently! Meanwhile remaining crew members find temporary lodging arranged through New Mangalore facilities until further arrangements can be made moving forward!

In response—the Maritime & port Authority Of Singapore has sent personnel over assisting local authorities both regarding firefighting measures alongside investigations into incident causes themselves! Furthermore—the Ministry Of Ports issued formal warnings directed towards management demanding immediate action concerning oil extraction processes underway aboard vessel itself citing slow progress thus far threatening legal repercussions should timelines not improve considerably soon enough!