ICGS Varad extends help to merchant ships

​New Delhi: The cyclonic storm Vardah that hit Chennai on 12th December, 2016 brought heavy rains and squally weather, with wind speed going above 100 kmph. The cyclonic conditions also endangered the safety of ships berthed inside Chennai port trust.

At about 09:40 hrs, the ropes of port crane vessel ‘F.C. Thangam’ parted and the vessel drifted onto decommissioned submarine ‘Wagli’. Consequently, the ropes of the submarine also parted.

Shortly thereafter, one by one the ropes of ‘MV Akbar’, DCI Dredger ‘Kaveri’ and DCI ‘VH1’ also started parting. All the vessels were frantically trying to reach the port trust for assistance.

Thus, two tugs ‘Sea Lion Apex’ and ‘Ocean Fame’ were pressed into service but, with no berthing party available the tugs were barely able to hold the drifting vessels due to the gusty weather.

At this juncture, CPH expressed its inability in sending anyone for assistance owing to the cyclonic weather, which was posing threat to the safety of life.

Considering the situation of the drifted ships endangering the safety of other berthed vessels, Indian Coast Guard ship Varad decided to take on the herculean task of getting the drifted vessels reberthed.