Indian Coast Guard rescues crew of stranded bulk carrier

The Indian Coast Guard has launched a rescue operation for the crew of the Sigma Pearl, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier stranded near the Ravva oilfield off the Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh. The vessel, which was en route to Singapore after unloading at Visakhapatnam port, reportedly suffered engine failure while navigating the KG Basin.

The engine failure is suspected to have been caused by the impact of Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28 with wind speeds reaching up to 150 kmph. The Coast Guard has deployed a helicopter and the Offshore Patrol Vessel Sujay to assist the six crew members.

Local authorities in the West Godavari district are providing support to the rescue efforts, which are utilizing a helipad at Mogalthur village.