Bulk Carrier Saves 34 Indonesians From Burning Vessel In Indian Ocean

A Bulgarian bulk carrier, Eleen Armonia, successfully rescued 34 Indonesian fishermen from a burning fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean, about 500 nautical miles southeast of Sri Lanka.

The vessel, operated by Eleen Marine, was sailing from Singapore to the Cape of Good Hope when the crew spotted smoke rising in the distance.

The crew of Eleen Armonia noticed the fire early in the morning and identified the distressed vessel as Hasil Abadi 28, a 224-gross ton fishing boat.

The burning vessel had no AIS (Automatic Identification System) signal and was not visible on radar, making the rescue effort more challenging.

Other passing vessels saw the fire but did not stop to assist.

Despite the risks involved in approaching an unidentified burning ship, the captain of Eleen Armonia, Todor Todorov, decided to divert and carry out a rescue.

A thorough risk assessment was conducted before the crew carefully maneuvered the bulker to get close enough for firefighting and evacuation.

As the Eleen Armonia approached, the fishermen were seen huddled at the bow of the vessel, waving for help while flames consumed the stern.

The crew used fire hoses to bring the fire under control, a process that took nearly five hours. Once the flames were subdued, all 34 fishermen were safely transferred onto the bulk carrier.

The fishermen, who had no life jackets, were provided with food, water, and medical aid after boarding Eleen Armonia. Fortunately, none of them suffered serious injuries.

After the rescue, Eleen Marine contacted the owner of Hasil Abadi 28 and learned that three other fishing vessels from the same company were operating nearby.

The rescued crew members were later transferred to one of these sister ships so they could return home to Indonesia.

The rescue took place in one of the busiest maritime routes, where commercial vessels frequently transit between Asia, Africa, and Europe. This region has faced growing threats in recent years, including pirate attacks and disruptions caused by Houthi forces in the Gulf of Aden.

Eleen Marine praised the actions of the ship’s international crew from Bulgaria, Indonesia and Ukraine. The company stated, “This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unbreakable bond among seafarers worldwide, where the duty to assist those in peril transcends national and commercial interests.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown. The damage was severe and the vessel is expected to sink. Meanwhile, Eleen Armonia has resumed its journey after successfully carrying out its duty to save lives at sea.

References: icsf, fakti

Source: Maritime Shipping News