The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 23 crew members from a foreign chemical tanker, MT Seagull 9, after it developed a dangerous tilt off the coast of Paradip in Odisha. The vessel, carrying 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil, sent out a distress call, prompting an immediate response from the ICG. The Coast Guard deployed its offshore patrol vessel ICGS Vishwast to the scene, where a specialist Damage Control Team boarded the ship to stabilise it. The team deployed submersible pumps to remove water from the ballast tanks and sealed damaged sea-pipelines to prevent further flooding, according to the ICG's statement on X.

The ICG also diverted a Pollution Control Vessel and an Offshore Patrol Vessel to the area to support pollution response and maintain surveillance. A Dornier aircraft confirmed that the minor palm-oil sheen observed in the area had completely dissipated, the Coast Guard said. The vessel is now safely under tow towards Paradip, with ICG units remaining on active watch to ensure safety and protect the oceans.

The incident follows a series of recent Coast Guard operations, including the evacuation of 21 crew members from the merchant vessel MV KMAX EMPEROR after it collided with another ship near Kandla in Gujarat on September 11, and the search and rescue operation after the cargo vessel MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 21. The MV Ocean Winner was carrying 71,200 metric tonnes of iron ore fines from Odisha to China and had 24 crew members on board, including 20 Chinese nationals, one Bangladeshi and three Myanmar nationals.

Commandant Amit Uniyal, the Coast Guard's public relations officer, stated that repairs to the MT Seagull 9's main engine are underway with assistance from the technical team of ICGS Vishwast. The Coast Guard's specialised assets remain deployed at the site, maintaining continuous surveillance and providing operational assistance. Uniyal noted that the real-time distress emergency response is a prelude to the National Maritime SAR exercise scheduled for October 8 off Paradip.

The ICG, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of India's offshore assets, securing sea lines of communication, responding to emergencies at sea, combating marine pollution, and providing humanitarian assistance, has a history of rapid and effective response to maritime incidents. However, the exact cause of the MT Seagull 9's tilt and the long-term environmental impact of the incident remain unclear. The Coast Guard's actions have been widely praised for their swift and coordinated response to the crisis.