A cargo ship ran aground near Antarvedi off the Kakinada coast in India's Andhra Pradesh state on Wednesday, October 28, after reportedly suffering a loss of propulsion during Cyclone Arnab.
Sources within the Visakhapatnam Port Authority told the Deccan Herald that the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Sigma Pearl lost propulsion after departing Visakhapatnam for Singapore, having discharged a cargo of sulphur there.
Strong winds associated with the cyclone then pushed the ship, which was unable to manoeuvre, off course and towards the coast near the Ravva oil field. The reported engine failure is subject to an inspection of the vessel.
The crew were reported safe, and efforts were underway to bring them ashore. The number of people on board and the extent of any damage were still being assessed on Wednesday.
The Mercantile Marine Department, port authorities, and other maritime agencies are monitoring the incident in coordination with the Konaseema district administration. Department officials said an inspection will determine the vessel's condition and the next course of action.
Authorities intend to survey the bulker and begin salvage planning once the storm has abated.
Cargo operations and berthing were suspended at multiple coastal ports due to large swells and gale-force winds. Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Gangavaram warned of the storm, instructed anchored ships to secure and suspended freight operations, with the aim of restoring operations on Thursday, October 29.
The India Meteorological Department said Cyclone Arnab crossed the coast southwest of Yanam between 02:00 and 08:00 local time on Wednesday as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 to 135 km/h gusting to 150 km/h. The system had weakened into a deep depression by late that evening.