Kochi: The 184-metre-long Liberian flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 capsized off the coast of Kochi in Kerala on Saturday afternoon. Of the 24 member crew, 21 have been accounted for. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is searching for the remaining three.
According to the ICG, the ship departed the recently-commissioned Vizhinjam Port (also in Kerala) on Friday. It was to reach Kochi on Saturday. Around 1.25 pm, M/s MSC Ship Management intimated Indian authorities of a 26 degree list to starboard. This means that the vessel tilted 26 degrees to the right.
“The Coast Guard immediately despatched aircraft and vectored surface platforms to the location, which is approximately 70 km off Kochi. Of the 24 member crew, 21 abandoned ship in its own lifeboats and those sent by the Coast Guard Ship Arnvesh. While nine of them were picked up by Singapore flagged merchant vessel Han Yi, 12 were accommodated on board the ICGS Arnvesh. A search is in progress for the remaining three mariners,” an ICG official said.
The Directorate General (DG), Shipping, in coordination with the ICG, has issued directives to the ship managers for providing urgent salvage services for the vessel. The situation is being monitored closely by the ICG to prevent loss of life and damage to the environment. A warning has been issued about a potential sulphur content leak from the vessel.
“We are trying to find out the exact cause behind the disaster. An effort is also being made to check the contents of the containers. We are also trying to find out how much furnace oil the ship had in its tanks,” the official added.
Sources confirmed that the 1997-built ship has had its share of trouble in the past. In 2016, it collided with the bulk carrier Katina near Hodeidah in Yemen. In 2021, it thwarted off a pirate attack off the coast of Nigeria.
