Coast Guard rescues palm oil tanker off Odisha coast after engine failure

The MT Seagull 9, carrying approximately 9,000 tonnes of palm oil and 23 crew members, encountered serious trouble when its main engine failed, triggering uncontrolled flooding in the vessel's compartments. The tanker developed a perilous list that threatened the safety of those aboard and raised concerns about potential environmental contamination in waters off Odisha's coast.

Coast Guard personnel mobilized quickly upon receiving distress signals from the troubled vessel. Their intervention prevented what could have become a major maritime incident in one of India's busier shipping lanes, underscoring the critical role of rapid response capabilities in safeguarding both human life and the marine environment.

The rescue operation reflects heightened vigilance following the sinking of the Ocean Winner, a bulk carrier that went down in the Bay of Bengal weeks earlier. Maritime authorities have intensified monitoring of vessel movements in the region, particularly vessels operating in challenging weather conditions or displaying signs of mechanical distress.

All crew members aboard the MT Seagull 9 were accounted for following the Coast Guard's intervention. The vessel was stabilized and brought under control, preventing spillage of its palm oil cargo into surrounding waters. Investigations into the cause of the engine failure have commenced, with preliminary assessments suggesting mechanical malfunction rather than structural defects.