What Crew Members Say About Singapore-Bulker

A tragic incident unfolded late on April 3, 2024, when the Indian fishing vessel 'Periya Nayagi', with ten fishermen aboard, began taking on water approximately 95 nautical miles off the coast of Chennai, roughly 60 nautical miles east of Krishnapatnam. Despite the best efforts of the Indian Coast Guard and passing merchant vessels, the ordeal resulted in one fisherman’s death and another still missing. The alert began when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Chennai received a distress signal transmitted by the National Data Centre in Mumbai. Acting swiftly, the MRCC initiated a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation that included Coast Guard vessels and three nearby merchant ships aimed at locating and assisting the stranded crew. The crew of the 'Periya Nayagi' reported flooding onboard and was attempting to manage the situation by bailing out the water, but they expressed reluctance to evacuate to a passing merchant ship, fearing they might lose their vessel. In an effort to reassure the crew, the MRCC facilitated a conference call through a satellite phone between the fishermen and the owner of the 'Periya Nayagi'. However, in a show of commitment to their vessel, the crew opted to stay put. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the vessel had set sail from Krishnapatnam. The situation worsened as the 'Periya Nayagi' drifted beyond mobile coverage, relying solely on a VHF radio with limited communication range. Eventually, at around 11:55 p.m., another distress call was received 50 nautical miles east of Krishnapatnam. The bulk carrier 'Singapore Bulker', navigating the area, altered its course to rescue the beleaguered fishermen, successfully retrieving nine crew members. Tragically, one fisherman, who was critically injured, succumbed to his condition. The Indian Coast Guard Ship 'C-440' was dispatched from Chennai, bringing the eight survivors aboard in safe condition. The deceased fisherman’s body was subsequently transferred to the fisheries officials in Chennai on April 4, while search efforts continue for the missing individual. This incident highlights the inherent dangers faced by fishermen at sea and the critical importance of prompt rescue operations.

On June 25, 2015, the vessel 'Singapore Bulker' reported an incident involving contact with the seabed and an uncharted object while navigating in the Bay of Bengal. This encounter occurred at coordinates 21°34'N 91°45'E, approximately 45 miles south of Chittagong. Fortunately, the crew confirmed that there were no damages resulting from the incident.

The maritime scene off the Cameroon coast faced disruption when the bulk carrier 'Singapore Bulker' ran aground on February 11, 2015, while making its way from Thailand to the Ivory Coast. The vessel became lodged in the Douala Channel, prompting assessments for potential salvage operations. Having departed from Koh Sichang on December 12, 2014, and from Abidjan on January 14, 2015, the Singapore Bulker now faces challenges as efforts to remedy the situation are underway.