On September 15, the fishing vessel INDAPV5MM 495 caught fire in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam, India. The fire started from a mechanical fault and quickly engulfed the vessel. The five crew on board were forced to abandon ship into the sea. The vessel INDAPV5MM 894 was nearby and was able to rescue all five crew. No reports of injuries and all the crew was taken to shore safely. Reports state the fishing vessel was a total loss.
On September 7, the 190 meter long, 58,063 dwt bulk carrier Navios Celestial (IMO: 9496226) collided in the Bay of Bengal with the 167 meter long, 28387 dwt bulk carrier Friendly Islands (IMO: 9615042) on the outer anchorage of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Navios Celestial loaded with 44,000 tons of fertilizer had its anchor drag which allowed the vessel to drift into Friendly Islands which had some 27,000 tons of lentils in its hold. Both vessels sustained minor damage, but no injuries, water ingress or pollution released.
Both bulk carriers shifted their anchorage position while authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On August 25, the 72 meter long, 2156 dwt cargo vessel ITT Puma (IMO: 8116128) sank in Bay of Bengal some 90 nautical miles south off Sagar Island, India. The ITT Puma departed from Kolkata on August 24 partially loaded with general cargo bound for Port Blair. During the night of August 25, the ITT Puma lost stability and capsized in bad weather before it finally sank.
Indian authorities received a distress signal from the ITT Puma. The Indian Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter along with the rescue vessels Amogh and Sarang. The Coast Guard was able to locate 11 survivors after they had fired red flares from the life raft. The crew received medical treatment and transported to Paradip. Three crewmen were reported missing.
The Indian Coast Guard is monitoring the location where the ITT Puma sank. There was some concern that pollution may be released from the fuel tanks.