Private ship on fire, ICG comes to rescue

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037 

A private offshore support vessel caught fire off Vishakapatnam, say sources from Defence Ministry clarifying the situation. While the vessel that caught fire near Vishakapatnam at 11:30 am on August 12 was a private one, a few reports are said to have mentioned that it was Indian Coast Guard’s vessel was on fire. 

The vessel that went on fire was a private vessel, say sources from Defence Ministry in confirmation. Sources say, a loud explosion was heard from the private vessel, fire was there soon after the explosion.

The crew members of the vessel jumped into the sea. Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard Ship Rani Rashmoni was nearby and went into rescue mode. There were 29 crew members on the private vessel who jumped into the sea, 28 of them were rescued, say sources from Defence Ministry. One of them went missing and search for him is on currently. 

Rani Rashmoni in co-ordination with VPT boats took up the rescue work. Coast Guard ship Samudra Pahredar and Coast Guard helicopter and ICGS C-432 have also been deployed to further augment the rescue efforts.