Indian Coast Guard Battles Fire on Maersk Frankfurt Near Karwar
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is actively responding to a fire incident on the merchant vessel Maersk Frankfurt, currently positioned 17 miles from Karwar, Karnataka. The fire in the forepart of the vessel has been suppressed, but heavy smoke continues to emanate, and the fire has reignited in the midship area.
ICG ships Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat are engaged in firefighting operations. A Coast Guard Dornier aircraft has conducted an aerial assessment, and an ALH Dhruv helicopter was launched from New Mangalore for Goa to evaluate the feasibility of deploying Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) bags. Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 11 (Goa) is arranging the provision of DCP bags and balls to aid in firefighting operations.
The specialized pollution control vessel, Samudra Prahari, is being deployed to provide further assistance. Currently, there is no need to evacuate the crew. The Master of the vessel has indicated that anchoring is not feasible due to the inaccessibility of the forecastle area, which has been compromised by melting containers, posing significant risks to the crew.
The ICG remains committed to ensuring the safety of the crew and the vessel while mitigating the impact of this incident on maritime safety and the environment. Continuous monitoring and response efforts are underway to bring the situation under control.
Late on Friday night, the Indian Coast Guard control room in Mumbai received a distress call from container carrier MV Maersk Frankfurt, located 50 NM off Karwar, regarding a major fire onboard. ICG Dornier and ships Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat were immediately pressed into action, and an additional aircraft was mobilized to augment Search and Rescue efforts. The Coast Guard is working to avert an ecological disaster and ensure the safety of the vessel and crew.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Coast Guard -: The Indian Coast Guard is a part of India’s defense forces that protects the country’s maritime interests and enforces maritime law.
Maersk Frankfurt -: Maersk Frankfurt is a large merchant ship that carries goods across the sea. It belongs to the Maersk shipping company.
Karwar -: Karwar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is known for its beautiful beaches and naval base.
midship area -: The midship area is the middle part of a ship. It is located between the front (bow) and the back (stern) of the ship.
Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat -: Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat are names of ships in the Indian Coast Guard fleet. They are used for various missions, including rescue and firefighting.
aircraft and helicopters -: Aircraft and helicopters are flying machines used by the Coast Guard to quickly reach and help in emergencies at sea.
pollution control vessel -: A pollution control vessel is a special ship designed to clean up and control pollution in the sea, such as oil spills.
Samudra Prahari -: Samudra Prahari is the name of a specialized pollution control vessel in the Indian Coast Guard. It helps in cleaning up the sea and controlling pollution.
