All cargo on the 'Wan Hai 503' was properly declared, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Customs documentation had been filed in every country the vessel passed through. As the fire occurred on a joint service route involving multiple shipping companies and containers, the exact origin of the blaze and the container responsible remain unknown to date. The containers in the ship have dangerous cargo, including Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 4.1 (flammable solids), Class 4.2 (spontaneously combustible substances) and Class 4.6 (toxic substances)," a senior officer at Azhikkal Port said. The 'Wan Hai 503' has departed from Kaohsiung in late May, with port calls in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Sri Lanka, before heading towards Mumbai. The major concern was the presence of approximately 2000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks adjacent to the fire zone. The ship has drifted approximately one nautical mile to the south. It had 157 containers with dangerous materials, including 32.2 tonne of nitrocellulose (a highly flammable substance used in various applications like lacquers, plastics, and explosives) with alcohol. These, combined with the high amount of fuel, pose an immediate fire hazard. 10-15 containers were seen floating in the sea and may reach the Indian Coast around June 12. 40 % of the fire has been controlled on June 10, but was still was posing a danger. Efforts were on to tow the vessel more towards the open sea to avoid any impact on the coast.
News
CG WALNUT
The Coast Guard Cutter 'Paul Clark' has repatriated 31 migrants to Cuba on May 22, following multiple interdictions in the Florida Straits. The first interdiction occurred on the morning of May 17, when Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from the 'Walnut' of a migrant voyage 38 miles southwest of Marquesas, Florida. The 'Walnut' arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants. The second interdiction occurred on the afternoon of May 17, after an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew detected a migrant vessel 23 miles north of Matanzas, Cuba. Sector Key West watchstanders diverted the 'Walnut', which safely embarked the migrants. The final interdiction occurred on thze morning of May 18, when Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan of a migrant venture 23 miles south of Plantation Key, Florida. Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crews arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, all migrants were treated with dignity and respect, and receive food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3784117/coast-guard-repatriates-31-migrants-to-cuba/
CG SEA OTTER
The US Coast Guard along with federal, state and local agencies started searching for six persons on a downed aircraft near Point Loma, on the afternoon of June 8. Watchstanders at the Joint Harbor Operations Center in San Diego received the initial report at 12:45p.m. detailing a twin-engine Cessna 414 had crashed approximately three miles west of Point Loma. The depth of water below the debris field was reported to be approximately 200 feet. Besides the 'Sea Otter', the following assts were mobilized to respond: - Coast Guard Air Station Ventura MH-60 Jayhawk air crew; - Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan air crew; - Coast Guard Station San Diego 45-foot RB-M crew: - Coast Guard Maritime Safety & Security Team 29-foot RB-S crew; - Customs & Border Protection Air & Marine Operations crews; - San Diego Harbor Police boat crews; - San Diego Lifeguards. The Coast Guard suspended its search on June 10 at 10 a.m., pending further developments. The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched over 300 square miles for over 35 combined hours. The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the cause of the crash. Inquiries about the investigation can be sent to MediaRelations@NTSB.gov.
CG MARGARET NORVELL
The 'Margaret Norvell' transferred 20 migrants of Cuban nationality to the Bahamas on June 10, following a rescue on Anguilla Cay, Bahamas. Homeland Security Investigations Miami agents notified Seventh Coast Guard District watchstanders of a possible group of aliens stranded on Anguilla Cay on June 6. A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew located the stranded people on the uninhabited island, and a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew dropped food, water and a radio to establish communications. The Bahamian authorities requested U.S. Coast Guard agency assistance in rescuing the group. The Coast Guard Cutter 'Walnut' arrived on scene and tramsferred the migrants aboard due to safety of life at sea concerns pending their disposition. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, the migrants were processed to determine their identity and provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4212564/coast-guard-transfers-20-aliens-to-bahamas-authorities/
CG WALNUT
The Coast Guard Cutter 'Margaret Norvell' transferred 20 migrants of Cuban nationality to the Bahamas on June 10, following a rescue on Anguilla Cay, Bahamas. Homeland Security Investigations Miami agents notified Seventh Coast Guard District watchstanders of a possible group of aliens stranded on Anguilla Cay on June 6. A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew located the stranded people on the uninhabited island, and a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew dropped food, water and a radio to establish communications. The Bahamian authorities requested U.S. Coast Guard agency assistance in rescuing the group. The 'Walnut' was deployed to the scene and tramsferred the migrants aboard due to safety of life at sea concerns pending their disposition. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, the migrants were processed to determine their identity and provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4212564/coast-guard-transfers-20-aliens-to-bahamas-authorities/