Paradip Port Authority Rescues MT SEAGULL 9, Ensuring the Safety of Vessel, Crew, Cargo and Marine Environment
By Pravakar Sahoo
Paradip, Sept. 28: Paradip Port Authority (PPA) successfully coordinated emergency tug assistance for MT SEAGULL 9 (Call Sign: V3HN), carrying approximately 9,000 MT of Crude Palm Oil for Paradip Port on account of Adani Wilmar, with M/s Atlantic Global Shipping Pvt. Ltd. as the agent.
The vessel, located approximately 35 nautical miles from the Paradip Pilot Station at Latitude 20° 01.8′ North and Longitude 087° 18.6′ East, reported a main engine failure and was listing approximately 10 degrees to one side due to water ingress into the ballast tanks. The de-ballasting rate was not keeping pace with the rate of water ingress, necessitating immediate assistance.
The first communication from the shipping agency, M/s Atlantic Global Shipping Pvt. Ltd., was received at 05:01 AM on 27 September 2026, with copies marked to the Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
At 06:21 AM, MRCC forwarded the communication to Indian Coast Guard Headquarters-7 for necessary assistance. Subsequently, at 09:29 AM, the Indian Coast Guard communicated with DGCOMMCENTRE for suitable assistance.
At 10:33 AM, DGMA/DGCOMMCENTRE granted permission to deploy a Harbour Tug of Paradip Port Authority, with a pilot holding a Master FG Certificate on board, to assist MT SEA GULL 9.
Between 10:30 AM and 01:40 PM, the tug was supplied with fresh water and towing rope etc. Tug Dolphin 25 cast off from the jetty at 01:40 PM and proceeded towards MT SEA GULL 9.Aloing with harbar master caption indraneele mukaji
The tug reached the vessel at 05:24 PM. Outer damage assessment was completed at 05:28 PM, following which the team boarded MT SEAGULL 9 at 05:30 PM. At 05:45 PM, the towing procedure was explained to the bridge team and the tow connection commenced. The tow line connection was completed at 05:54 PM, and towing commenced at 05:55 PM.
The emergency response was coordinated among Paradip Port Authority, Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Coast Guard, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), M/s Ocean Sparkle Limited and other concerned stakeholders.
The disabled CPO tanker MT SEAGULL 9 was successfully rescued by Paradip Port Authority’s Harbour Tug Dolphin 25, with support and coordination from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The joint emergency response ensured the safe towing and subsequent berthing of the vessel, safeguarding the vessel, crew, cargo and marine environment.
The operation was coordinated under the guidance of Capt. A.C. Sahoo, Deputy Conservator, Paradip Port Authority. Captain S.B. Panigrahi also facilitated the necessary assistance for safe berthing .
The vessel subsequently entered the harbour with minimum engine assistance and was safely secured at NQ2 at 4Pm today. The coordinated response ensured that the vessel was brought safely within Paradip Port limits and secured without further incident.
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, Paradip Port Authority, congratulated all marine officers, pilots, tug crew, and all concerned stakeholders for their timely coordination, professionalism and collective efforts in ensuring the safe arrival and berthing of MT SEAGULL 9. He appreciated the coordinated maritime response that safeguarded the vessel, crew, cargo and the marine environment.
Paradip Port Authority remains committed to ensuring safe, efficient and coordinated maritime operations and extending timely assistance during emergencies.
