Raising concerns over the safety of vessels operating in Indian waters, a Maltese merchant vessel – MV Melina I – reportedly came under pirate attack about 200 nautical miles west off Lakshadweep Islands on Saturday.The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard deployed teams in response to a call for assistance from the vessel and the threat was averted soon enough, said the officials.
As per an official communication from the Navy, “at about 6 a.m., the master of Melina had reported sight ing of about four skiffs approaching his vessel and sought assistance.
Accordingly, the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard launched operations to assist the ship.” The merchant ship, MV Melina I, was on its way from Ukraine to Paradip when it reportedly encountered the pirates about 200 nautical miles west of Lakshadweep.
The Southern Naval Command deployed patrol vessel INS Sujata in response to the bulk carrier’s distress call.
Coast Guard vessel Annie Besant and a Dornier aircraft were also despatched to the scene. INS Sujata launched an armed helicopter and Marine Commandos to effectively deal with any emergency, said officials.
Though the reported threat was later averted and the master of the vessel intimated that it was safe, INS Sujata continued to escort the ship to safe waters. Melina later proceeded to Gangavaram port with bulk coal, said Coast Guard officials.
They added that a message was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai, following which the Coast Guard deployed its team.
The Dornier aircraft carried out extensive search up to 40 nautical miles from the vessel.
However, no suspicious vessel was sighted in the area, said the officials.
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