JOIN USA mini bulk carrier, MV Kumar, has been grounded off the Revdanda coast at Alibaug in the coastal Raigad district with the threat of capsize looming large.
According to officials of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, Capt Ashok Corrol, the Master of MV Kumar, called up the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai on Thursday night. He reported flooding on board vessel in void space with the forward portion of the ship grounded off Revdanda, around 1.5 nautical miles off the coast.
During the investigation, the captain confirmed that all crew were safe and only the forward part of the vessel had touched bottom.
Revdanda is located 105 km off downtown Mumbai and is a popular tourist destination. The progress of the Southwest Monsoon has turned the Arabian Sea very rough.
“The vessel is not equipped with sufficient damage control equipment and possibility of capsizing in the rough sea increases,” official sources said.The vessel left Mumbai with 2400 MT iron ore on Wednesday and arrived at Revdanda anchorage at midnight.
A Coast Guard helicopter was launched from Mumbai with the first light on Friday for assistance and the Coast Guard team from Murud reached Revdanda Port for arranging pumps for de-flooding.
The ICG has contacted Capt Das, JSW Ltd, the owner of the vessel, and he has intimated that a tug with divers and submersible pumps from Mumbai were being arranged for providing necessary salvage assistance.