The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been working tirelessly for the past five days to ensure the safety of the MV Maersk Frankfurt and its crew amidst challenging weather conditions in the Arabian Sea. The ship is currently facing severe weather due to the peak of the South West monsoon. The ICG’s efforts aim not only to protect the vessel and its crew but also to prevent any potential marine pollution.
The situation has been dire, with a major fire onboard the MV Maersk Frankfurt. With the continuous efforts of ICG ships, the large fire has been brought under control, and only white smoke is now visible. However, there are still recurring minor fires due to the content inside the ship’s containers.
To address these issues, the ICG is using two key vessels: the ICGS Samudra Prahari, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, and the ICGS Sachet, an advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel. They are actively working to extinguish the remaining small fires.
In addition to the ICG’s efforts, two other vessels are assisting in the operation. Albattros 5, an Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) chartered by the ship managers, and the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) Water Lily, which is on contract with the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), are both contributing to the firefighting efforts. The ICG is also conducting aerial assessments of the situation as needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the ongoing operations.
To prevent any potential threat to the Indian coastline, all efforts are being made to move the MV Maersk Frankfurt away from the shore and into deeper waters. Currently, the vessel is located 13 nautical miles west of New Mangalore and is heading towards the open sea. This strategic move aims to minimize any risks to the coastal environment and nearby areas.
The ship managers, M/s Bernhard Schulte Ship Management (Hong Kong) Ltd, have contracted M/s SMIT Salvers to undertake salvage operations on the distressed vessel. The ICG has facilitated the arrival of an initial salvage team, which includes four members—one Indian and three Filipino.
The salvage team will work closely with the ICG to combat any remaining fires until two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels arrive. The first AHTS vessel is expected to arrive by the evening of July 23, with the second vessel scheduled to arrive by July 28.
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Firefighting on container vessels presents a significant challenge, as fires inside containers require precise and up-close intervention to extinguish completely. The salvage team’s role is crucial in supporting the ICG’s ongoing efforts to manage and extinguish the fires effectively. Their work is essential to ensuring the safety of the MV Maersk Frankfurt and preventing any further environmental impact.
The Indian Coast Guard’s continued dedication and collaboration with various partners reflect their commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection. As efforts to control and extinguish the fires continue, the focus remains on safeguarding both the vessel and the coastline from potential harm.
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