Okha: An incident of accident between two ships has been reported off Gujarat coast at around 12 nautical miles distance from port town Okha. All crew members are safe and there’s no oil spill or marine pollution so far according to a note released by Indian Coast Guard. Monitoring is on as one of two ships is 183 meter long oil/chemical tanker.

According to Coast Guard, at around 9.30 pm on November 26, an incident of mid sea collision between a bulk carrier MV Aviator and oil/chemical tanker MV Atlantic Grace happened 12 nautical miles away from Okha in Gujarat. While MV Aviator was coming from Marshal Island, the other ship MV Atlantic Grace was coming from Hong Kong.

On receipt of information, Indian Coast Guard ships interceptor boat C-403 from Mundra patrolling in area and C-411 from Okha were sent for assessment of area towards marine pollution as the area is very sensitive marine diversity reserve. Coast Guard pollution control vessel ICGS Samudra Pavak was also diverted for assessment and preventive measures towards marine oil pollution. Indian Coast Guard helicopter is also carrying out pollution assessment and providing assistance.

Indian Coast Guard ships/helicopter deployed for area assessment have reported no oil spill or marine pollution from both the merchant vessels and the area is being continuously monitored for any marine pollution eventually. Last port of call of both ships was Kandla. Next port of call for Hong Kong flagged MV Atlantic Grace was Fujairah while in case of Marshal Island flagged MV Aviator it was Tuna port anchorage. MV Atlantic has 21 Indian on board as crew while MV Aviator has 22 persons from Philippines as crew members.