Bulker Grounds as Severe Cyclone Comes Ashore in India

Indian officials are beginning to tally the damage after a severe cyclone came ashore early on Wednesday, interrupting most services and leading to multiple rescues. A bulker that was apparently attempting to get away ahead of the storm, however, ran into problems and was driven ashore on the central eastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal.

The Marshall Island-flagged bulker Sigma Pearl (32,688 dwt) reportedly attempted to sail on October 27 before the worst of the storm. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority told the Deccan Herald that the vessel had unloaded sulfur at the port. It was attempting to reach Singapore when it experienced propulsion problems. It began to drift and was driven aground by the high wind and surf from the approaching storm.

The ship was built in 2010 and is 180 meters (590 feet) in length. The ship’s managers are based in Singapore. The reports indicated that the crew was uninjured and the authorities were working to bring them ashore as the storm lessens.

Meteorological reports indicated that the storm came ashore early on Wednesday with sustained winds of between 78 and 84 mph and gusts of up to 93 mph. It had completely crossed over land by 8:00 a.m. local time, leaving a path of damage along the coast as it began moving inland.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →