Industry Odisha Bureau,Sep 11:Two merchant vessels collided off Gujarat’s Kandla coast on Friday. The Indian Coast Guard launched a rescue operation immediately. MV KMAX EMPEROR and MV TRUE MARINER were involved. The collision occurred near Kandla’s outer anchorage, OTB Kandla.
Indian Coast Guard Evacuates 21 Crew
MV KMAX EMPEROR carried 24 crew members. Twenty-one were safely evacuated, the Coast Guard said. Three crew members remained onboard afterwards. They stayed to support vessel operations. The Coast Guard described the evacuation as swift. No injuries or fatalities were reported in the statement.
Collision Occurred Near Kandla Anchorage
An outer anchorage is an offshore waiting area. Vessels use such zones before port entry. OTB Kandla serves this function for Gujarat’s coast. The exact cause of the collision was not stated. Vessel speeds and navigation details remain unreported. The screenshots offer no basis for assigning blame.
Pollution Response Activated Off Gujarat
The Coast Guard activated pollution-response measures after the collision. This step forms part of standard emergency precaution. It does not confirm that a spill occurred. The force referenced protecting Gujarat’s coastal ecosystem. No leakage, contamination or environmental damage was confirmed. The measures reflect readiness rather than a declared incident.
Maritime Authorities Coordinate Response
The Coast Guard said it was coordinating closely with several bodies. These included the Directorate General of Shipping. Central agencies and the state administration were also involved. The force said it remained fully alert. It cited commitment to maritime safety and ecosystem preservation. No investigation was confirmed in the available reporting.
Cause And Damage Remain Unclear
Several details remain unknown at this stage. The collision’s precise cause has not been established. Structural damage to either vessel is unclear. Cargo aboard both ships was not disclosed. Vessel ownership and flag details were not reported. The Coast Guard said further details were awaited.
Crew Safety Remains The Priority
Rapid evacuation limited crew exposure following the collision. The three remaining crew members support ongoing vessel operations. Their specific tasks were not detailed publicly. Anchorage areas routinely hold vessels awaiting berthing or clearance. This incident does not indicate wider congestion problems. Multi-agency coordination reflects standard practice during maritime emergencies.
Maritime Safety And Pollution Preparedness
The Kandla collision triggered a layered emergency response. Crew evacuation came first, followed by pollution precautions. Authorities across Coast Guard, shipping and state levels responded jointly. The immediate priorities remain vessel safety and crew welfare. Pollution-response activation adds a precautionary environmental layer. Further clarity on causes and consequences is still awaited.
