Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040416410700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fire aboard passenger liner

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A fire was reported on a passenger liner, MV Nicobar, proceeding from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kolkata on April 2.

The liner had 1,026 passengers and 111 crew on board.

Two rescue vehicles of the Indian Coast Guard, in addition to hovercrafts, were put on standby for assistance.

According to a press release from Commandant A.K.S. Panwar, Chief Public Relations Officer, after establishing contact with the vessel it was ascertained that though the fire was extinguished by the crew the vessel had lost its power supply and that it was on emergency supply. A hovercraft was deployed for assistance and assessment of situation during the night and a second sortie with technical team and stores was launched 5.30 a.m. on April 3.

The technical team restored power supply by 10 a.m. and the ship started her main engines successfully.