Nine on tugboat remain stranded at sea, rescue efforts on

Two crew members of another tugboat die, three survive, and search on for remaining three

Nine crew members of tugboat ‘Coromondel Supporter IX’ remained stranded at sea at “Mulki Rocks,” about 6 km off the Kaup coast in Udupi district, after the vessel ran aground on Sunday owing to Cyclone Tauktae-induced strong winds and rough waves in the Arabian Sea. Karnataka Coast Guard Commander, DIG S.B. Venkatesh told The Hindu that efforts were on to rescue the crew. However, the process was getting affected by inclement weather. Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K.V. Rajendra said the crew members were safe. New Mangalore Port Trust chairman A.V. Ramana told The Hindu that the vessel’s contract with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd., (MRPL) ended last December and it was on the port’s outer anchorage since May 5 waiting instructions from owner, M/s Atlantic Shipping.