What Crew Members Say About Mekong

On the evening of July 12 at 7 p.m., the vessel 'Anh Son,' which had been rudderless for 18 days, was successfully towed to port. Remarkably, both the crew and the cargo arrived in good condition following the challenging voyage. The ship is scheduled to remain in the harbor for four days to facilitate the unloading of its cargo. During its time adrift, the crew received critical supplies including 200 tons of water, one ton of rice, and other food provisions sufficient for two months. So far, expenses related to the towing operation, as well as food and water supplies, have amounted to nearly $150,000. Additionally, the insurance company PNI has dispatched experts to assess the damage incurred by the 'Anh Son.'

The cargo ship "Anh Son" is on track to be towed to Kolkata Port on July 11, following the granting of permission by Kolkata port authorities. This decision comes in response to a request from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assurances provided by insurance companies involved. To facilitate the towing operation, Anh Son Co. has engaged an Indian company, agreeing to a fee of $101,000 for their services. The towing process had previously faced delays due to an insurance disagreement. Last week, an Indian rescue firm was contracted to tow the vessel; however, the insurance provider initially refused to cover the towing cost of $250,000. Kolkata port authorities mandated a guarantee from the insurer before proceeding with the operation. The insurer contended that the incident stemmed from an unforeseen fault, which was not covered by the policy terms. The "Anh Son" encountered difficulties while en route from Hai Phong to India, suffering a rudder failure approximately 32 nautical miles offshore on June 26. The vessel, which carries a crew of 15, has been afloat in tumultuous seas since the incident. In response to a distress call from MRCC Vietnam, their Indian counterpart in Chennai dispatched aircraft and rescue boats to locate the ship, confirming it was situated 30 nautical miles off the coast and that all crew members were reported safe and in good health.

The plight of 15 Vietnamese sailors stranded aboard the MV Anh Son near the mouth of the Hooghly River may soon see a resolution. After being stuck at sea for nearly a week, these sailors are optimistic about gaining access to either the Haldia Dock Complex or the Kolkata Dock System on Tuesday. Officials from the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) are eagerly awaiting a favorable reply from the P&I (Protection and Indemnity) Club, which they have approached to assume full liability for the stricken vessel, which is currently hindered by a damaged rudder. Measuring 90 feet in length and boasting a deadweight tonnage of 4,374 tonnes, the MV Anh Son was first identified near the Sandheads on June 27 while transporting logs. Due to its rudder issues, the ship has been unable to navigate effectively. Upon discovering the vessel's predicament, KoPT officials swiftly reached out to the ship's owners in Vietnam and its shipping agent. Unfortunately, the owner declared bankruptcy and declined all responsibility, leading the agent to withdraw as well. In light of these challenges, port officials have advised that the ship seek refuge at an alternative port with a more manageable navigation channel.