Fire Onboard Indian Tanker Put Out

Officials say the fire that broke out in the engine room of the ORCHIDS Saturday night, has been extinguished.

The India flagged chemical tanker was about 60 nautical miles south of New Mangalore port when the crew discovered the fire. The local Coast Guard was notified of the fire at 8:50 Saturday night, and sent two fastpatrol vessels from New Mangalore and redirected an Offshore Patrol Vessel CGS VARUNA to the distressed ship’s location.

A nearby tug, BAHSMEK SAHARA, just 3 miles away was the first to arrive and contributed significantly to the extinguishing of flames.

Local Coast Guard officials say none of the 29-crew members were injured in the fire and they report no evidence of an oil spill.

The ORCHIDS, owned by Seven Islands Shipping Mumbai, resumed its voyage to Kochi on Monday morning.