Following days of being adrift off the ecologically sensitive Nicobar Islands, India, the Panamanian-flagged tanker Anastasia-1 was towed to safety.
The ship had suffered a total power failure on 19 November and was later abandoned by its crew. Anastasia 1 was en route from Singapore to Dubai with 24 crew, when the incident occurred. The ship had uploaded its fuel cargo, so it had about 900 tons of bunker fuel onboard.
After days of monitoring the situation, the Indian Coast Guard had to intervene as the ship was drifting dangerously towards Kachall Island, part of the Nicobar Islands, at the southern end of the Bay of Bengal, near the Malacca Strait.
Eventually on 22 November, the Indian Coast Guard ship Vishwast towed the vessel towards safe waters, preventing grounding that could cause a vast environmental damage in the pristine area.
There was no response from the owners or the agents, the Coast Guard said.
It is challenging that the vessel could not restore power which has ultimately resulted in crew abandoning the vessel. Learnings should be learnt so that emergency response can be an eye opener for other maritime personnel.