Indian Coast Guard Launches Search and Rescue After Bulk Carrier Sinks in Bay of Bengal
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has launched an active search-and-rescue mission in the Bay of Bengal following the sinking of a Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 24 crew members. The incident took place approximately 240 nautical miles off the Paradip coast in Odisha on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
What Happened
According to an ICG spokesperson, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) located in Sri Vijaya Puram received an alert at 11:48 hours from a company linked to the vessel. The alert reported a complete loss of communication with the bulk carrier, identified as M.V. Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), alongside an urgent plea for search and rescue support.
The bulk carrier was laden with iron ore loaded from Odisha. Its last port of call had been Paradip, and it was sailing toward its scheduled destination in Singapore before encountering distress and sinking at sea.
A multinational crew of 24 individuals was on board the vessel at the time of the incident, comprising 20 Chinese nationals, three crew members from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh.
Key Highlights
- Vessel Profile: The Panama-flagged bulk carrier M.V. Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530) was transporting iron ore from Paradip, Odisha, toward Singapore.
- Location of Incident: The ship went down in the Bay of Bengal, roughly 240 nautical miles from the Paradip coastline.
- Crew on Board: A total of 24 crew members were aboard, including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmarese nationals, and one Bangladeshi national.
- Initial Distress Alert: The MRCC in Sri Vijaya Puram received notification of communication loss and a distress request at 11:48 hours on August 22, 2026.
- Survivor Recovery: MT Aisopos, a nearby commercial vessel diverted to the scene, successfully rescued two survivors from two liferafts at around 20:00 hours.
- Assets Deployed: The ICG sent ships named Varad and Anmol, with the ship Vijit dispatched from Sri Vijaya Puram to reinforce the maritime operation alongside the Indian Navy.
Why This Matters
The swift coordination among maritime rescue authorities and commercial traffic underscores standard emergency procedures in international shipping routes across the Bay of Bengal. By redirecting the nearby commercial vessel MT Aisopos to the area, rescue coordinators secured the recovery of two crew members found in liferafts within hours of the distress notification.
The deployment of multiple specialized vessels from the Indian Coast Guard and assets from the Indian Navy highlights the ongoing multi-agency effort required to locate remaining personnel in open waters hundreds of miles offshore.
What to Watch Next
Official updates are expected as the Indian Coast Guard ships Varad, Anmol, and Vijit continue search-and-rescue operations across the search sector alongside naval assets to locate the remaining 22 crew members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vessel sank in the Bay of Bengal?
The vessel was the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M.V. Ocean Winner, carrying identification IMO 9145530.
Where was the ship travelling to and from?
The vessel departed from its last port of call at Paradip in Odisha, carrying iron ore, and was en route to Singapore.
How many people were aboard the vessel?
The vessel carried 24 crew members, consisting of 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh.
Have any survivors been recovered?
Yes. The commercial ship MT Aisopos, diverted by the MRCC to assist, recovered two survivors from two separate liferafts at approximately 20:00 hours.
Source: Reported by The Hindu, citing official statements from the Indian Coast Guard.