Indian Coast Guard Rescues Tanker
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Friday, June 10, 2016
On receiving the distress call motor tanker MV Infinity I around 20 nautical miles from Goa on Wednesday evening, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) salvaged the vessel, its cargo and rescued 14 crew by dispatching ships from Goa.
MV Infinity I reported water ingress and continuous listing (nautical term for tilting) to starboard (right side of the ship). The vessel had reported that the list is increasing despite ship's de-watering efforts. Such emergencies can lead to the sinking of the ship.
The 83 m long MT Infinity-1 is an oil/asphalt carrier and was on coastal passage from Kandla port in Gujarat to Karwar in Karnataka with a 14-member Indian crew. She was carrying approximately 1750 tonnes of Asphalt.
Indian Naval Ship Trikand from Western Naval Command immediately responded to the call. Despite heavy seas the ship responded immediately (at about 9:00 PM on 08 June 16) by sending team of 4 personnel including 2 officers and high speed de-watering pumps. Maritime Rescue Coordination Center was also informed.
Coast Guard Ships Amal and Shoor and a tug from Goa were also dispatched for assistance and another naval ship INS Kondul was placed on standby. Helicopters were also prepared for immediate evacuations should the situation deteriorate.
MV Infinity I was anchored off Goa coast last night and provided with additional pumps by INS Trikand and CG Ships.
The Panama-flagged Infinity 1 (ex name Heng Hui) is a 3300 dwt asphalt / bitument tanker; she was owned by Wuhan Datong Industry until 2012, when she was sold to a Singaporean firm, then transferred last year to Prime Tankers of Dubai, UAE, according to Equasis.