Indian Coast Guard rescues 20 crew from stranded bulk carrier off Andhra coast

The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued 20 crew members from the bulk carrier Sigma Pearl, which became stranded off the Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh following an engine failure on the night of October 27. The vessel, which was bound for Singapore, encountered mechanical difficulties that left it immobilized in the Bay of Bengal.

Coast Guard personnel responded swiftly to distress calls from the ship, deploying rescue operations to reach the stranded vessel. The crew members were evacuated safely from the bulk carrier, which remained adrift off the Andhra Pradesh shoreline.

The Sigma Pearl, a bulk carrier engaged in maritime trade, had been en route to Singapore when the propulsion system failed, rendering the ship unable to navigate independently. The incident underscores the operational challenges faced by commercial vessels in the Indian Ocean region and the critical role of maritime rescue services in safeguarding seafarers.

The successful rescue operation highlights the Indian Coast Guard's readiness and capability to respond to maritime emergencies in India's coastal waters. Investigations into the cause of the engine failure are expected to follow the incident.