Indian Coast Guard rescues 19 people from Gabon flagged sinking vessel off Ratnagiri coast

The Indian Coast Guard has successfully rescued 19 people including 18 Indians and 1 Ethiopian from a Gabon-flagged vessel. The vessel started to flood yesterday morning when it was around 41 miles west of Ratnagiri coast.

Within minutes of receiving the distress call, ICGS Sujeet and ICGS Apoorva were diverted for the rescue operation.

International Safety Net and NAVTEX warnings were relayed to alert other Merchant Vessels in the area.

A Coast Guard advanced light helicopter was also deployed. While the vessel is presently adrift, the owners have been requested to augment preventive measures for marine pollution.

The vessel was carrying asphalt bitumen.