“Indian Coast Guard’s Rapid Reaction to Gujarat Ship’s Drone Strike Emergency”

The Indian Coast Guard swiftly responded to an SOS distress call from the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto, a Liberia-flagged oil tanker, which was struck by a drone in the Arabian Sea, approximately 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. The vessel, carrying crude oil and manned by around 20 Indian crew members, encountered the attack as it was en route from a Saudi Arabian port to Mangalore.

Key Details of the Incident:

1. Crew Safety: All crew members, including the Indian personnel, are reported to be safe, according to defence officials.
2. Drone Attack: The attack resulted in a fire onboard the MV Chem Pluto, prompting the distress call. The Indian Coast Guard swiftly dispatched the ICGS Vikram, one of its ships, to assist the affected vessel.
3. Coast Guard Response: ICGS Vikram, patrolling the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, altered its course to approach the distressed ship and coordinated efforts to extend aid to MV Chem Pluto.
4. Communication Established: The Indian Coast Guard’s Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft established communication with the troubled vessel to assess the situation.
5. Impact and Recovery: The vessel’s Automatic Identification System was deactivated after the attack. Although the fire has been extinguished, the ship’s functionality has been compromised. Efforts are underway to ensure the vessel’s power generation system is operational before it continues its voyage.
6. Ongoing Investigation: UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that authorities are actively investigating the incident to determine the nature and details of the attack.
7. Context: This event follows recent maritime security concerns after the Indian Navy’s involvement in evacuating an injured sailor from a hijacked cargo vessel, MV Ruen, where six unauthorized individuals had boarded the ship in the Arabian Sea.

As investigations continue into the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, the Indian Coast Guard remains engaged in efforts to safeguard maritime security and assist affected vessels navigating the region’s waters.

Sources By Agencies