Coast Guard rescues all 20 crew from cyclone-stranded MV Sigma Pearl off Andhra coast
Synopsis
In the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Arnab's landfall, the Indian Coast Guard pulled off a zero-fatality rescue of all 20 crew members from the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl — aground in rough seas near Andhra Pradesh's Antarvedi — within 24 hours. The operation highlights the ICG's advance DRT deployment as a decisive factor when cyclones strike without warning margin.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Coast Guard rescued all 20 crew members from MV Sigma Pearl near Antarvedi , Andhra Pradesh , on 29 October 2026 .
The bulk carrier, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag , suffered engine failure after departing Visakhapatnam port at 12.17 am on 27 October , bound for Singapore .
ICG deployed OPV Sujay and helicopter ICG Helo ; the Mogalthur village helipad in West Godavari district served as a staging base.
The rescue was completed within 24 hours with zero loss of life at sea.
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra coast on 28 October with wind speeds of 125–135 kmph , gusting to 150 kmph , and claimed seven lives overall.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 29 October 2026 successfully rescued all 20 crew members from the bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl, which ran aground off the Andhra Pradesh coast near Antarvedi after suffering engine failure in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab. The high-risk operation, completed within 24 hours, resulted in zero loss of life at sea.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The ICG deployed its Offshore Patrol Vessel Sujay and a dedicated helicopter, ICG Helo, to reach the stricken vessel in rough seas. Coast Guard personnel used the helipad at Mogalthur village in West Godavari district as a staging point, airlifting crew members from the stranded ship in what officials described as a heroic operation. The Disaster Response Team (DRT), which had already been pre-positioned along the Andhra coast ahead of the cyclone, ensured a swift response once distress communication was received.
What Led to the Crisis
The Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship MV Sigma Pearl departed Visakhapatnam port at approximately 12.17 am on 27 October, bound for Singapore after unloading cargo. The vessel left as Cyclone Arnab was approaching Yanam, before the storm made landfall in the early hours of 28 October. The ship reportedly suffered engine failure while navigating through the Ravva oilfield, leaving it stranded in rough seas with all 20 crew members on board awaiting rescue.
Scale of Cyclone Arnab's Destruction
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 28 October with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process continued for approximately six hours until 8 am. The cyclone claimed seven lives, uprooted thousands of trees and electricity poles, and caused extensive damage to crops across coastal districts.
ICG's Pre-Emptive Role
The Coast Guard's pre-emptive coastal monitoring and advance DRT deployment along the Andhra coast were credited with enabling the rapid, zero-fatality rescue. This comes amid growing recognition of the ICG's expanded disaster-response mandate in the Bay of Bengal, a region increasingly exposed to severe cyclonic activity. Notably, the successful evacuation of all hands from a vessel aground in post-cyclone seas underscores the operational readiness that pre-positioning allows.
What Happens Next
Authorities have not yet confirmed the condition of the rescued crew members beyond confirming their safety. The fate of MV Sigma Pearl — still aground near Antarvedi — remains to be determined, with salvage operations expected to follow once seas moderate. Relief and restoration work continues across cyclone-affected coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
But it also raises a harder question: why was MV Sigma Pearl permitted to depart Visakhapatnam at 12.17 am on 27 October as Cyclone Arnab was already bearing down on Yanam? Port departure protocols during active severe cyclone warnings deserve scrutiny, since no Coast Guard intervention — however swift — should be the first line of defence against an avoidable grounding. The ICG's pre-positioned DRT saved lives this time; better port-exit governance could make such rescue operations unnecessary.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to MV Sigma Pearl off the Andhra Pradesh coast?
MV Sigma Pearl, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, suffered engine failure near the Ravva oilfield off Antarvedi while en route to Singapore from Visakhapatnam, leaving all 20 crew members stranded in rough seas following Cyclone Arnab. The Indian Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and safely evacuated all crew within 24 hours.
How did the Indian Coast Guard carry out the rescue?
The ICG deployed Offshore Patrol Vessel Sujay and helicopter ICG Helo to reach the stranded vessel. Crew members were airlifted using the helipad at Mogalthur village in West Godavari district, with the Disaster Response Team (DRT) pre-positioned along the Andhra coast aiding in the rapid response.
What was the impact of Cyclone Arnab on Andhra Pradesh?
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 28 October with wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, for approximately six hours. The cyclone claimed seven lives, uprooted thousands of trees and electricity poles, and caused extensive crop damage across coastal districts.
When did MV Sigma Pearl leave Visakhapatnam and why was it at risk?
The vessel departed Visakhapatnam port at approximately 12.17 am on 27 October, at a time when Cyclone Arnab was approaching Yanam ahead of its landfall on 28 October. The ship reportedly suffered engine failure under the impact of the severe cyclonic storm while navigating through the Ravva oilfield.
Were there any fatalities among the rescued crew?
No crew members were killed. The Indian Coast Guard confirmed zero loss of life at sea, with all 20 crew members of MV Sigma Pearl safely evacuated. The broader cyclone, however, claimed seven lives on land across coastal Andhra Pradesh.
