Coast Guard rescues 13 from cargo ship stranded off Andhra coast amid Cyclone Arnab
Synopsis
A Singapore-bound bulk carrier, 'Sigma Pearl', was left dead in the water off the Andhra Pradesh coast after Cyclone Arnab struck — and the Indian Coast Guard has so far pulled 13 of 20 crew to safety. With seven still aboard and the cyclone having already killed four people onshore, this is a live, multi-front emergency.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Coast Guard rescued 13 crew members from the bulk carrier 'Sigma Pearl' off the Andhra Pradesh coast on 29 October 2026 .
The vessel, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, suffered suspected engine failure linked to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab .
Rescue operations for the remaining 7 crew members were still underway; OPV 'Sujay' and a helicopter were deployed.
The 'Sigma Pearl' departed Visakhapatnam at 12.17 am on 27 October and became stranded near Antarvedi , within the Ravva oilfield navigation zone.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall with wind speeds of 125–135 kmph (gusting to 150 kmph ), killing at least 4 people onshore and causing widespread damage to coastal districts.
The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday, 29 October rescued 13 crew members from the bulk carrier 'Sigma Pearl', stranded off the Andhra Pradesh coast after suffering engine failure reportedly linked to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab in the Bay of Bengal. Rescue operations were still underway to evacuate the remaining seven people aboard the Singapore-bound vessel.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and the Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Sujay' to reach the stricken ship. The 13 rescued crew members were brought aboard 'Sujay' during the operation. Coast Guard personnel used the helipad at Mogalthur village in West Godavari district as a staging point for helicopter-based evacuations.
The 'Sigma Pearl', sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, had departed Visakhapatnam port at approximately 12.17 am on 27 October — around the time Cyclone Arnab was bearing down on Yanam ahead of its landfall in the early hours of 28 October. The vessel was returning to Singapore after unloading cargo at Visakhapatnam when it became stranded near Antarvedi, while navigating through the Ravva oilfield.
The Role of Cyclone Arnab
The engine failure is suspected to have occurred under the impact of Cyclone Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process lasted approximately six hours, concluding by 8 am on 28 October.
The vessel tracking portal MarineTraffic had listed the ship's status as 'Vessel is out of range' two days prior, with its last recorded position along its intended route — indicating contact was lost shortly after departure from Visakhapatnam.
Cyclone Arnab's Trail of Destruction
Cyclone Arnab has claimed at least four lives, according to reports, while also causing widespread damage across coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. The storm uprooted thousands of trees and electricity poles and caused extensive damage to standing crops. The 'Sigma Pearl' incident underlines the hazard posed to maritime traffic when vessels sail into the path of rapidly intensifying cyclonic systems.
What Happens Next
Coast Guard operations to rescue the remaining seven crew members were continuing as of Thursday. Authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the crew or the nature of cargo aboard the 'Sigma Pearl'. With cyclone recovery efforts already underway across Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts, the maritime rescue adds another dimension to the emergency response in the region.
Point of View
Even as Cyclone Arnab was closing in on the coast — which means port authorities and the ship's operators were aware of the storm. Whether the departure was cleared in compliance with cyclone advisory guidelines, or whether commercial pressure overrode caution, deserves scrutiny once the immediate rescue is concluded. India's coastline sees regular cyclonic activity between October and December, yet cargo vessels continue to sail into storm windows with inadequate margin. This incident, if investigated rigorously, could set a clearer precedent for mandatory port holds ahead of severe cyclonic storms.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were rescued from the 'Sigma Pearl' off Andhra Pradesh?
The Indian Coast Guard rescued 13 crew members from the bulk carrier 'Sigma Pearl' as of Thursday, 29 October. Rescue operations for the remaining 7 crew members were still ongoing, with a helicopter and the patrol vessel 'Sujay' deployed.
What caused the 'Sigma Pearl' to become stranded?
The vessel reportedly suffered an engine failure, suspected to have been caused by Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab in the Bay of Bengal. The ship was navigating through the Ravva oilfield near Antarvedi when it lost propulsion.
When did Cyclone Arnab make landfall and how severe was it?
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 28 October 2026, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph. According to the IMD, the landfall process lasted about six hours, ending by 8 am on 28 October.
What assets did the Coast Guard deploy for the rescue?
The Indian Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and the Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Sujay' for the operation. Personnel used a helipad at Mogalthur village in West Godavari district to carry out helicopter-based evacuations from the stranded ship.
What damage has Cyclone Arnab caused on land?
Cyclone Arnab claimed at least four lives and caused extensive damage across coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, uprooting thousands of trees and electricity poles and damaging crops across the affected region.
