The 174 meter long, 29810 dwt tanker Pratibha Cauvery went aground near Besant Nagar, India.  The vessel had unloaded its cargo at Chennai when a cyclone struck.  The rough seas and high winds pushed the vessel aground just meters from shore.    Twenty-two of the 37 crewmen on board decided to abandon ship by using one of the vessel’s lifeboats.  However, the rough seas quickly capsized the lifeboat sending the men into the water.  Six men were washed away while the others held onto the capsized lifeboat.   Local fishermen, Indian Coast Guard and Navy were able to rescue the men.  No reports of pollution released.  Authorities state the tanker will be refloated.

 

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