Coast Guard rescues 25 crew of stranded Panama vessel off Porbandar

Panaji, July 28 (UNI) In a major rescue operation, the Coast Guard has evacuated all the 25 crew members, stranded aboard Panama- registered bulk carrier 'MV Chrestena-II', off Porbandar coast this evening.

The vessel ran aground due to engine failure in the rough weather. A vigil has been kept on the 150X21 metre vessel, carrying 180 tonnes of marine gas oil and 40 tonnes of high speed diesel, as spillage from it may endanger the marine environment, according to the Coast Guard sources here tonight.

The Mumbai-based Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, on receipt of the information from the stranded vessel, directed the Porbandar unit of the Coast Guard in Gujarat to initiate the rescue operation, the sources said.

The crew was handed over to the police, while the local agent was directed to salvage the ship besides to carry out defuelling operation at the earliest, the sources added.

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