Visakhapatnam:The future of the stranded bulk carrier, MV Sigma Pearl, remains uncertain as rough seas and adverse weather conditions continue to hamper efforts to refloat the vessel and move it to a safer location off the AP coast.
With all 20 crew members rescued safely, the authorities have shifted their focus to assessing the condition of the 180-metre vessel and evaluating the feasibility of salvage operations. However, challenging sea conditions might complicate recovery efforts in the coming days.
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel ran aground near Antarvedi in the Ambedkar Konaseema district, around 1.7km from the shoreline, after encountering rough weather generated by cyclone Arnab.
The Indian Coast Guard would conduct a detailed assessment to determine whether the vessel can be salvaged and moved to a sheltered area.
“With all crew members safely evacuated, attention has now shifted to assessing the condition of the stranded vessel and determining the feasibility of salvage operations. Adverse weather and prevailing sea conditions may pose challenges to recovery efforts and movement of the vessel to a sheltered location,” the Coast Guard said.
The incident has drawn comparisons with MV Maa, a Bangladeshi cargo vessel that ran aground off Visakhapatnam in October 2020 and was eventually abandoned after repeated salvage attempts failed.
MV Sigma Pearl had departed Visakhapatnam after unloading its cargo. However, it encountered strong winds and rough seas in the Bay of Bengal during the early hours of October 28. The vessel reportedly lost manoeuvrability before it drifted into shallow waters and then ran aground.
The Coast Guard launched a major rescue operation involving offshore patrol Vvssel Sujay, deployed from Chennai, and helicopter support from Mogalturu in West Godavari district. Using the ship’s boats and aerial support, rescue teams evacuated all 20 crew members.
The rescued sailors were provided immediate medical attention and are reported to be in good health.
The grounding has also brought renewed attention to reports of technical problems aboard the vessel. Sources said MV Sigma Pearl experienced repeated generator failures while it was berthed at Visakhapatnam Port, interrupting cargo operations.
The vessel allegedly suffered significant power-generation issues linked to malfunctioning of auxiliary engines both at berth and while at anchorage.
These failures are believed to have left the ship without adequate power to maintain its position, causing its anchor to drag and allowing the vessel to drift toward the coast under strong winds and rough seas.
The vessel’s eventual fate would depend on the extent of structural and mechanical damage, prevailing weather conditions and the financial and technical viability of salvage operations. While the successful rescue of the crew has averted a human tragedy, uncertainty remains about whether the stranded vessel can be recovered or will face the same fate as MV Maa.
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