No risk to Karnataka’s marine environment from fire onboard Panamanian flag cargo carrier: Indian Coast Guard

Indian Coast Guard assures no environmental risk from Maersk Frankfurt fire to Karnataka’s coastline, ongoing operation under control, no ecological disaster expected.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on July 28 that no risk exists to the marine environment and coastal areas of Karnataka from the fire onboard Merchant Vessel Maersk Frankfurt as the ICG’s efforts to protect environmentally sensitive coastline entered the 10h day on July 28, 2024.

The Panamanian flag cargo carrier reported major fire around 80 nautical miles West of Goa on July 19, 2024. The vessel is presently 50 nautical miles South West off New Mangalore Port and at distance of more than 37 nautical miles from shore.

“The ICG’s pollution preventive stance has ensured that no risk exists to the marine environment and coastal areas of Karnataka from the fire,” an ICG release said.

ICG ships are undertaking boundary cooling and extinguishing sporadic minor flames that erupt from time to time due to the initial incineration of sealed containers.

The outlook remains positive and presently, the situation is under control and risk to the marine environment and coastal areas does not exist. The vessel has both power and propulsion and is being kept at a distance of more than 24 nautical miles (India’s contiguous zone limit) at all times. ICG is maintaining physical presence at site with at least two offshore patrol vessels engaged in firefighting.

Of the 21-member foreign crew, a Filipino national is missing. Others remain safe and are in good health. The vessel is structurally stable and remains operational.

As of now, five ICG ships, two Advanced Light Helicopters and a Dornier aircraft have undertaken multiple sorties as part of Operation ‘Sahayata’. More than 1,200 kg of dry chemical powder has been airdropped at the seat of fire.