The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) responding to a distress call evacuated three officers from the abandoned MT Maharishi Vamadev off Mumbai shores.

The ICG in an official communique stated that the ship had been abandoned by the owners M/s Varun Shipping Company Ltd on account of poor financial health.

 The crew refused to leave the ship and went on an indefinite hunger strike as they had not been paid since September last year.

On Sunday, ICG Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre  received a flash from the ship's captain with regard to the deterioration of health of three officers.