Kochi: Firefighting operations have intensified aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel 'MV Wan Hai 503', which caught fire earlier this week following a container explosion off the Kerala coast while en route from Colombo to Mumbai. The Indian Coast Guard and other maritime agencies are working round the clock to contain the massive blaze and stabilise the drifting vessel.
According to the Directorate General of Shipping, around 40 per cent of the fire has been brought under control. The vessel remains afloat but unmanned and is slowly drifting southeast in the Arabian Sea. A significant breakthrough came as a team of salvage experts and Coast Guard divers successfully boarded the vessel. Among them was the Salvage Master, who is now monitoring the situation from onboard.
Authorities said current efforts are focused on fully extinguishing the fire and preventing the vessel from drifting closer to the coastline. The blaze is primarily concentrated in the ship’s forward cargo holds, with Indian Coast Guard ships 'Samudra Prahari' and 'Samarth' leading the firefighting operations. Foam and boundary cooling techniques are being employed to contain the flames and prevent further spread.
Hydrocarbon vapours have been detected by the Salvage Master, suggesting heat transfer near the vessel’s fuel tanks. In response, continuous onboard assessments are being conducted to monitor the potential escalation of risk. Meanwhile, Coast Guard vessels 'Rajdoot', 'Arnvesh', 'Abhinav', and 'ICGS 513' are carrying out search and rescue operations in the area.
Of the 22 crew members initially on board, 18 have been rescued while four remain missing. In a key development, a successful tow connection was established between 'MV Wan Hai 503' and the Emergency Towing Vessel 'Water Lily', along with a Coast Guard asset. This achievement followed an earlier failed attempt and was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) and Indian Coast Guard personnel.
Authorities have noted the continued danger posed by hazardous cargo and the presence of hydrocarbon vapours near the fuel tanks. Despite the risks, stabilisation work is progressing, with daily coordination meetings being held among the Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Navy, maritime agencies, and the ship’s owners.
To support the ongoing operations, the Coast Guard deployed five additional team members to the site, including three salvage experts and two rescue divers. Reinforcements in the form of firefighting supplies—such as foam and dry chemical powder—are also being dispatched to aid the crews in their efforts to fully douse the fire and secure the vessel.
With PTI inputs