Singapore-flagged container ship catches fire off Kerala coast, 4 crew members missing

M V Wan Hai 503 departed Colombo on June 7 and was slated to reach NPC Mumbai on June 10. Around 10.30 am on Monday, the Navy got information about the underdeck fire on board the ship. The fire has engulfed the entire vessel.

#Singapore-flagged container ship catches fire off #Kerala coast, 4 crew members missing

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Official sources said the ship’s owners have been requested to promptly assess and report the nature of the cargo in the affected hold to ascertain the presence of any hazardous material. No information has yet been received on whether dangerous goods were involved in the explosion.

Referring to the rescue mission, sources said the Coast Guard and the Navy responded swiftly, respectively deploying two and one Dornier aircraft, equipped with life rafts for aerial support and situational assessment. Besides, two Coast Guard surface ships have been dispatched and are expected to arrive at the vessel’s position within three hours.

Five ships have been deployed by the Coast Guard and are expected to reach the scene by 4 pm. Further, a naval warship operating in the area has been diverted and is expected to reach the location at approximately 5 pm. The nearby merchant vessels MV AMBRA and MV ONE MARVEL have also been alerted and directed to proceed to the site to provide immediate assistance to the vessel in distress.

Shekhar Kuriakose, member-secretary of the state disaster management authority, said the district collectors of Kozhikode and Ernakulam have been directed to ensure treatment for the injured once they are brought to the coast. “At present, we don’t have any information from the Coast Guard regarding any repercussions along the Kerala coast in the wake of the vessel fire,’’ he said.

On navigational hazards, a situation report said the fire posed a significant risk of further explosion. Any drifting containers or subsequent hazards to navigation will be assessed upon arrival of the Coast Guard vessels. All nearby traffic has been alerted to maintain a safe closet point of approach and speed reductions in the vicinity.

The Directorate of Shipping is in continuous liaison with the Coast Guard, Navy and the ship management team for coordinated emergency response. The vessel is under the management of Wan Hai Lines and its owners have been directed to appoint a professional salvor and firefighting expert. Preliminary contact has been made with SMIT Salvage for specialised assistance.

The Flag Administration of Singapore has also been formally informed of the incident. A communication was issued by the shipping directorate, requesting that the owners be advised to immediately appoint qualified salvors and firefighting experts to assess the cargo situation and provide expert guidance to support ongoing firefighting operations led by the Coast Guard considering the nature of cargo carried on board.