The Indian Coast Guard prevented a potentially serious maritime accident off the Odisha coast after a foreign-flagged tanker carrying 23 crew members developed technical problems and began tilting dangerously at sea. The vessel, identified as MT Seagull 9, was carrying around 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil when it encountered trouble approximately 37 nautical miles east-southeast of Paradip. The emergency began after the vessel's main engine failed and water entered its ballast tanks, creating a serious stability problem. The tanker sent a distress call at around 7:30 am on September 27. The Indian Coast Guard responded by deploying ICGS Vishwast to the location. A specialist team then boarded the unstable vessel and began emergency work to prevent the tanker from capsizing. The operation involved several stages because the immediate priority was to control the water entering the vessel while also restoring its stability.

Damage control team works to stop flooding

Once the Coast Guard team reached the tanker, specialists began removing accumulated water from the ballast tanks using submersible de-flooding pumps. The team also worked on damaged seawater pipelines that were contributing to the flooding. Two damaged pipelines were sealed, while another fractured line was brought under control. These measures reduced the flow of water into the vessel and helped the tanker regain stability. At the same time, cargo transfer and de-flooding operations were carried out together. The coordinated work between the Coast Guard personnel and the tanker crew helped reduce the danger of the vessel overturning. The rescue was particularly important because the tanker was carrying a large quantity of palm oil and had 23 people aboard. A loss of stability could have created risks for both the crew and the surrounding marine environment.

More Coast Guard vessels sent to the location

The response was not limited to a single Coast Guard ship. Additional maritime resources were moved to the area as authorities continued to monitor the situation. A Pollution Control Vessel was deployed to strengthen pollution-response arrangements, while an additional Offshore Patrol Vessel was also sent to the site. Their role included maintaining surveillance and remaining prepared to respond if the vessel released more material into the sea. The Coast Guard also kept an eye on the surrounding waters because even a controlled tanker emergency can create environmental concerns when a vessel is carrying a large quantity of oil-based cargo. This multi-layered response allowed rescue, damage control, pollution monitoring and surveillance activities to continue at the same time.

Aerial surveillance checks possible pollution

The Coast Guard also used a Dornier aircraft for aerial monitoring of the area. A small palm-oil sheen had earlier been noticed around the tanker. Follow-up aerial surveillance on September 28 found that the sheen had completely dissipated. The Coast Guard said pollution-control measures remained active to protect the surrounding marine environment. The aerial monitoring was important because it allowed the authorities to observe a wider area around the tanker and check whether any visible pollution remained on the surface. The continued surveillance also helped Coast Guard teams maintain an updated picture of the vessel's condition while towing arrangements were being made.

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Tanker taken under tow towards Paradip

After the emergency situation was brought under control, the tanker was stabilised and taken under tow towards the anchorage area near Paradip. The Paradip Port Authority tug Dolphin was involved in towing MT Seagull 9. The vessel's main engine repairs have also started with technical assistance from the Coast Guard team. ICGS Vishwast and other Coast Guard assets remained in the area to maintain an active watch and provide further assistance if required. The successful stabilisation meant the immediate threat of the tanker capsizing was removed, while the authorities could shift their focus towards repairs, safe anchoring and continued monitoring.

Why the Paradip rescue was important

The incident highlights the challenges involved in dealing with emergencies involving large vessels at sea. A combination of engine failure, flooding and loss of stability can quickly turn into a major maritime emergency. In this case, the emergency response involved specialised damage-control personnel, de-flooding equipment, additional patrol and pollution-control vessels, aerial surveillance and towing support. The presence of 23 crew members made the rescue operation particularly significant. Instead of allowing the unstable tanker to remain at risk offshore, the Coast Guard worked with the vessel's crew and other maritime authorities to stabilise it and move it towards a safer location. The incident also demonstrates why rapid communication between a distressed vessel and maritime emergency authorities is important. The distress call allowed the Coast Guard to mobilise resources while the tanker was still in a condition that could be managed through emergency intervention.

Coast Guard continues maritime safety operations

The latest rescue is part of the Indian Coast Guard's wider responsibilities at sea, which include maritime safety, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets and response to marine pollution. The force has also handled other maritime emergencies in recent weeks. On September 11, Coast Guard personnel evacuated 21 crew members after merchant vessels KMAX EMPEROR and TRUE MARINER collided near the outer anchorage off Kandla in Gujarat. In August, the Coast Guard was involved in search-and-rescue efforts after the bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal. The vessel had been carrying iron ore fines from Paradip towards China and had 24 crew members aboard. The Paradip tanker operation adds another major emergency response to that recent record, with authorities now continuing to monitor MT Seagull 9 while repairs are carried out.

Main information readers should know

The key development is that all 23 crew members aboard the distressed tanker were brought out of immediate danger and the vessel was stabilised before being towed towards Paradip. The tanker was carrying approximately 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil when its main engine failed and its ballast tanks began taking in water. The resulting instability caused the vessel to tilt dangerously. The Coast Guard's specialist team removed water, controlled damaged seawater pipelines and worked with the vessel's crew on simultaneous cargo-transfer and de-flooding operations. Additional vessels and an aircraft were used to monitor the situation and address possible pollution concerns. The minor palm-oil sheen reported earlier was later found to have completely dissipated during aerial surveillance. The tanker is now under tow near Paradip, while its main engine is being repaired.