The Indian Coast Guard prevented a potentially serious maritime incident after rescuing the distressed MT Seagull 9, a Belize-flagged chemical tanker off the coast of Odisha. The vessel began to tilt dangerously as its main engine was shut down and seawater poured into its ballast tanks.
The tanker was carrying around 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil and had 23 crew members aboard when it sent an emergency distress call on September 27.
A distress call received on September 27
According to the reported Coast Guard account, MT Seagull 9 issued the distress call at approximately 7:30 AM on 27 September 2026.
The vessel was about 37 nautical miles east-southeast of Paradip, Odisha. Its main engine had failed and fast flooding of a ballast tank caused the ship to tilt dangerously, putting it at risk of capsizing.
The Indian Coast Guard responded quickly by sending ICGS Vishwast to the location.
Specialist team boards unstable tanker
As a result of the tough conditions, a specialist Indian Coast Guard Damage Control Team boarded the tanker.
The team used submersible de-flooding pumps and specialist damage control equipment to remove water and control the flooding. Coast Guard personnel also blanked two damaged seawater pipelines and contained a third fractured pipeline.
Such actions reduced the tide of seawater and calmed the vessel down.
Cargo transfer and de-flooding
The Coast Guard crew worked with the tanker crew to transfer cargo and de-flooding simultaneously.
The coordinated operation helped restore the vessel’s stability and significantly reduced the danger of the tanker capsizing.
The Coast Guard also deployed a Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) and an additional Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to strengthen pollution-response measures and maintain continuous monitoring of the vessel.
Averting a major disaster at sea!
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) September 28, 2026
Following a critical distress call from MT Seagull 9 off #Paradip, #ICGS Vishwast launched a swift & decisive operation to rescue the unstable chemical tanker carrying 9,000 MT palm oil & 23 crew members.
Braving high-risk conditions, the… pic.twitter.com/3F1h4d1Yid
Mapping possible pollution from the air was done on an aerial basis.
An Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also launched from Bhubaneswar to conduct aerial surveillance.
A small palm oil sheen had initially been seen near the tanker on Sept. 27. However, on Sept. 28, an aerial survey showed that the sheen had completely dissipated.
Even as things improved, pollution-response protocols remained active to protect the marine environment.
MT Seagull 9 taken under tow
Once the tanker was stabilised, the Paradip Port Authority tug Dolphin took MT Seagull 9 under tow towards the anchorage area off Paradip.
There are now repairs to the vessel's main engine going on with the assistance of the team on ICGS Vishwast.
The Coast Guard vessel and other specialist vessels have remained in the area of the operation to keep a watch and provide operational support.
