ICG rescues 20 crew from grounded MV Sigma Pearl off Andhra coast
Synopsis
As Cyclone Arnab battered the Andhra Pradesh coast, a 179.90-metre bulk carrier ran aground and sent out an SOS — and the Indian Coast Guard answered with a zero-fatality rescue of all 20 crew members using a ship and helicopter in hostile seas. The MV Sigma Pearl, carrying no cargo but loaded with fuel oil, now awaits salvage as authorities watch for a potential spill.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Coast Guard rescued all 20 crew members of bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl off Antravedi, Andhra Pradesh on 29 October 2026 .
The vessel ran aground in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclone Arnab making landfall on the Andhra coast.
ICG Ship Sujay and a Coast Guard helicopter conducted the high-risk operation in extremely adverse weather.
MV Sigma Pearl is a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier with a deadweight of 32,688 tonnes , which had sailed from Visakhapatnam on 27 October 2026 .
Authorities are liaising with the ship's owners for salvage; fuel oil on board raises concerns of a potential marine pollution risk.
On the same day, a Coast Guard helicopter separately conducted flood-relief operations in Odisha .
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 29 October 2026 rescued all 20 crew members from the bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl, which ran aground off Antravedi on the Andhra Pradesh coast in the wake of Very Severe Cyclone Arnab. The high-risk Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) operation, carried out by ICG Ship Sujay and a Coast Guard helicopter, was completed in extremely adverse weather conditions with zero loss of life.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The 179.90-metre bulk carrier ran aground following high seas and powerful winds as Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra coast early on Wednesday. The vessel's master sent out an SOS after onboard efforts to free the ship failed. On receiving the distress alert, the ICG rapidly deployed ICG Ship Sujay alongside a helicopter, which together executed the rescue in challenging conditions.
According to officials, preemptive measures — including coastal monitoring and Disaster Relief Team (DRT) deployments along the Andhra Pradesh coast — had been put in place as the cyclone approached, contributing directly to the zero-fatality outcome at sea.
About MV Sigma Pearl
The MV Sigma Pearl is a bulk carrier registered under the Marshall Islands flag, with a deadweight of 32,688 tonnes. The vessel had departed Visakhapatnam on 27 October 2026, with marine tracking data listing its destination as 'For Orders' — indicating it had no fixed port of call and was positioning itself toward regions with demand for bulk carriers.
Officials noted that while the ship was likely not carrying cargo at the time of grounding, it would have had furnace oil and possibly marine diesel on board. Authorities are reportedly in contact with the ship's management and owners to arrange salvage operations, and the vessel's condition is still being assessed.
ICG's Broader Cyclone Response
The ICG had initiated a series of precautionary steps ahead of Cyclone Arnab's landfall. Fishermen along the coast were directed to remain ashore, and continuous maritime surveillance was maintained to identify any stranded vessels or stragglers at sea.
Notably, on the same day — 29 October 2026 — a Coast Guard helicopter conducted rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Odisha. This comes weeks after the ICG assisted a capsizing vessel near Paradip port, where water was pumped from the ship's holds and it was towed to safety after emergency repairs.
Pollution Watch and Salvage Concerns
Beyond life-saving operations, the ICG functions as India's nodal agency for combating marine pollution within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). With MV Sigma Pearl carrying fuel oil aboard, authorities are closely monitoring the grounded vessel for any risk of an oil spill along the sensitive Andhra coastline. Salvage coordination with the ship's owners is underway, according to officials.
The successful rescue underscores the ICG's expanding operational tempo during cyclone season, with the agency managing simultaneous maritime and flood-relief missions across India's eastern seaboard.
Point of View
And the pattern raises a structural question: are port departure protocols robust enough to prevent bulk carriers from sailing into the path of forecast Very Severe Cyclones in the first place?
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to MV Sigma Pearl off the Andhra Pradesh coast?
The bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl ran aground off Antravedi on the Andhra Pradesh coast on 29 October 2026 after Very Severe Cyclone Arnab made landfall, generating high seas and strong winds. The vessel's master sent out an SOS after onboard efforts to free the ship failed, prompting an Indian Coast Guard rescue operation.
How did the Indian Coast Guard rescue the crew of MV Sigma Pearl?
ICG Ship Sujay and a Coast Guard helicopter conducted a Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) operation in extremely bad weather, successfully evacuating all 20 crew members. Preemptive coastal monitoring and Disaster Relief Team deployments along the Andhra coast were credited with ensuring zero loss of life.
Where was MV Sigma Pearl sailing from and what was its destination?
The vessel had departed Visakhapatnam on 27 October 2026. Marine tracking data listed its destination as 'For Orders,' meaning it had no fixed port of call and was seeking cargo assignments in areas with demand for bulk carriers.
Is there a risk of oil pollution from the grounded MV Sigma Pearl?
Yes, according to officials the vessel likely carries furnace oil and possibly marine diesel even if it had no cargo on board. The Indian Coast Guard, which is the nodal agency for combating marine pollution in India's Exclusive Economic Zone, is monitoring the situation, and authorities are coordinating with the ship's owners for salvage.
What other rescue operations did the ICG carry out during Cyclone Arnab?
On 29 October 2026, a Coast Guard helicopter also conducted rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Odisha. Weeks prior, the ICG had assisted a capsizing vessel near Paradip port, where water was pumped out and the ship was towed to safety after repairs.
