Indian Coast Guard Safely Evacuates Entire Crew of Philippine Cargo Ship Stranded in the Bay of Bengal Amid Cyclone Arnab

The Indian Coast Guard has successfully rescued all 20 crew members of a cargo vessel that ran aground in the Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast amid severe weather conditions associated with Cyclone Arnab. The rescue operation was carried out on Thursday, October 29, after the vessel encountered difficulties while sailing through rough seas.

The cargo ship, identified as MV Sigma Pearl, reportedly experienced an engine failure that affected its ability to navigate safely. The vessel was travelling from Visakhapatnam towards Singapore when it drifted towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline and became stranded near Antarvedi in the Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district.

Following information about the emergency, the Indian Coast Guard launched a rescue operation involving Coast Guard Ship Sujay and a helicopter. Rescuers faced challenging conditions due to strong winds, rough waves and poor weather caused by the cyclone. During the operation, 13 crew members were initially evacuated and transferred to the Coast Guard vessel. Rescue teams subsequently managed to bring the remaining seven crew members to safety, ensuring that all 20 people aboard the ship were rescued.

The operation required close coordination between Coast Guard personnel, helicopter teams and local authorities. Despite the difficult sea conditions, the rescuers completed the evacuation without any reported loss of life. Authorities are continuing to monitor the condition of the stranded vessel and assess the possibilities of safely moving it. The ship's technical condition and the circumstances surrounding its engine failure are also expected to be examined.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by commercial vessels operating in the Bay of Bengal during cyclonic weather. Strong winds, high waves and equipment failures can quickly turn routine maritime journeys into emergencies, making timely communication and effective rescue arrangements essential. The successful operation once again demonstrated the Indian Coast Guard's role in protecting lives at sea and responding to maritime emergencies, including incidents involving international commercial vessels.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.