Indian Naval Ship Trikand from Western Naval Command immediately responded to the call by sending a team of 4 personnel, including 2 officers, and high speed de-watering pumps.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard on Thursday assisted a merchant vessel (MV) Infinity I, carrying about 1750 tonnes of asphalt from Kandla to Karwar port after it reported water ingress and began listing, with its vessels pumping out water and escorting it towards the harbour.
At about 7:30 pm yesterday MV Infinity I, located about 20 nautical miles off the Goa coast, reported water ingress and continuous listing to the right. The vessel had reported that the tilt was increasing despite ship's de-watering efforts, a statement from the Navy said.
Such emergencies can lead to sinking of a ship. Indian Naval Ship Trikand from Western Naval Command immediately responded to the call by sending a team of 4 personnel, including 2 officers, and high speed de-watering pumps, the release said.
Coast Guard Ships Amal and Shoor and a tug vessel from Goa were also dispatched for assistance and another naval ship INS Kondul was placed on standby. Helicopters were also prepared for immediate evacuation should the situation deteriorate.
By about 3 am, MV Infinity I could contain the flooding with the help of pumps provided by the assisting ships, it said.
Although still listing precariously, the ship weighed anchor by 4 am and is slowly (at the speed of 4-5 knots) proceeding to Karwar harbour.
She is being escorted by INS Trikand and two Coast Guard Ships. At current speed, she is expected to reach Karwar Port late this evening, it said.
The 83 metre long vessel with 14 Indian crew (including the Master) was transiting from Kandla port in Gujarat and proceeding to Karwar, Karnataka when it developed a crack in the hull and started taking in water.