Search Continues for 22 Missing Crew Members After Cargo Ship Sinks in Bay of Bengal
A large-scale maritime search and rescue operation is underway in the Bay of Bengal after the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M.V. Ocean Winner sank off the Odisha coast. Out of the 24 crew members aboard the vessel, two have been rescued while 22 remain unaccounted for following extensive air and sea operations led by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
What Happened
The cargo vessel M.V. Ocean Winner, carrying a shipment of iron ore, departed from Paradip Port late on August 20. Approximately 36 hours after its departure, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was notified that all communication with the vessel had ceased, prompting an urgent request for search and rescue assistance.
In response to the distress notification, the Eastern Naval Command deployed a P8I maritime surveillance aircraft in coordination with the MRCC in Sri Vijaya Puram. Operating roughly 700 kilometres east of Visakhapatnam, the surveillance aircraft spotted a dispersed liferaft and directed a nearby transiting merchant vessel, the MT Aisopos, to render aid. Late in the evening on August 22, the MT Aisopos successfully pulled two Chinese crew members from the water.
Sustained aerial surveillance by the Navy’s P8I aircraft subsequently detected two floating liferafts and an oil slick near the ship’s last reported coordinates, while joint naval and Coast Guard assets continued searching the waters.
Key Highlights
- Vessel identity: The M.V. Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530) is a 28-year-old, Panama-flagged bulk carrier constructed in 1998, measuring 225 metres long and 32.26 metres wide with a cargo capacity of around 73,000 tonnes.
- Crew complement: The vessel had 24 crew members onboard, comprising 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmarese nationals, and one Bangladeshi national.
- Rescue status: Two Chinese crew members have been rescued, leaving 22 mariners missing after more than 24 hours of coordinated search efforts.
- Vessel history: Global maritime database records from Equasis indicate the ship is in its end-of-life phase and has experienced multiple ownership transfers, with its current owner based in Fujian, China.
- Safety records: An official inspection conducted at Chittagong, Bangladesh, in June recorded three deficiencies, including issues regarding the vessel’s magnetic compass.
- Insurance coverage: The ship possesses valid Protection and Indemnity insurance effective from August 1, 2026, which covers compensation for loss of life.
Why This Matters
The incident highlights the critical coordination between regional rescue coordination centres and commercial shipping vessels during deep-sea emergencies. Furthermore, records from maritime databases indicate that the vessel had past safety deficiencies identified during port inspections and was operating in its end-of-life phase while transporting heavy industrial cargo.
What to Watch Next
Search and rescue operations by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard remain active in the Bay of Bengal to locate the remaining 22 missing crew members. Further updates will depend on reports from naval search assets and maritime authorities coordinating the ongoing mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were on board the M.V. Ocean Winner?
There were 24 crew members aboard the ship, including 20 individuals from China, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh.
Who carried out the initial rescue of the survivors?
The merchant tanker MT Aisopos rescued two Chinese crew members after receiving coordination instructions from an Indian Navy P8I surveillance aircraft operating in the area.
Where was the ship travelling from?
The vessel had departed from Paradip Port in Odisha carrying a cargo load of iron ore before contact was lost approximately 36 hours later.
Source: Reported details sourced from statements by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and maritime database Equasis via The Hindu.