ICG conducts aerial firefighting, deploys DCP to douse container ship fire off Kerala coast
New Delhi, 12 June 2025: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) remains on high alert as it continues its intense firefighting operations aboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV WAN HAI 503, which caught fire off the Kerala coast. Despite facing adverse sea conditions, ICG teams have managed to keep the situation under control through coordinated air-sea operations.
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ICG Airborne Response Disperses 1,000 Kg of Dry Chemical Powder
In a high-risk mission carried out in the early hours of Thursday, the ICG deployed a specialized firefighting team comprising a pilot and two aircrew divers onboard an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter. The team successfully released 1,000 kilograms of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) directly into the core of the blaze. This aerial intervention marks a critical step in neutralizing the fire, which has been raging since June 9.
According to officials, the precise deployment of DCP was aimed at suppressing the most intense areas of the fire and preventing further escalation. The effort highlights the ICG’s swift and strategic coordination with the Indian Air Force to tackle the emergency from multiple fronts.
Vessel Stabilized with Towline as Dense Smoke Persists
To prevent the drifting vessel from posing further risk to India’s coastline, the ICG has successfully stabilized MV WAN HAI 503 using a towline. This tactical maneuver ensures the ship remains within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and away from ecologically sensitive zones.
While the external flames have now been doused, officials warn that the situation is far from over. Thick smoke continues to rise from the vessel, signaling residual internal heat and the possibility of a metallic fire inside the container bays.
Environmental Safety and Full Containment Top Priorities
With the fire still smoldering internally, the Indian Coast Guard is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and fire-suppression efforts. All assets involved in the operation remain on high alert to ensure the complete containment of the fire and to prevent any environmental fallout.
“The focus remains on extinguishing all traces of fire, stabilizing the vessel, and mitigating any potential hazards to marine life and coastal communities,” an ICG spokesperson said.
The MV WAN HAI 503, which was carrying a mix of cargo containers, experienced the outbreak of fire midships on June 9. Since then, multiple Coast Guard vessels, including Samudra Prahari and Sachet, have been involved in firefighting and boundary cooling operations.
ICG’s Quick Response Draws Praise
Maritime safety experts and environmental watchdogs have lauded the ICG’s swift and well-coordinated response. The integration of air and sea-based firefighting techniques is being viewed as a model for future emergency operations involving large container ships.
The Indian Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts reflect the nation’s growing capabilities in maritime emergency response, disaster management, and environmental protection.
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