The supply vessel En-One ran aground on the Gurupur river at Mangalore, India. The vessel had just been launched from the Bharati Shipyard when it stranded on a sandbank. No reports of injuries or damage. The water level on the river was low at the time of the grounding. Reports state the channel require dredging. The navigation channel in the river has been a source of friction between the shipyard and local fishermen.
The 128 meter long, 9500 dwt chemical tanker Royal Diamond 7 suffered an explosion while berthed at Mumbai, India. The explosion occurred in a store room resulting in six crewmen injured and one killed. A tug was dispatched to the scene and took the injured crew to shore where ambulances took the them to a nearby hospital. The resulting fire was brought under control and extinguished a few hours later. A fire occurred in the same store room earlier on March 17. No further details reported.
Two vessels encountered bad weather near Amini Island while sailing Lakshadweep Sea. The 160 ton Al Akther had just unloaded a cargo of produce on Amini Island when it departed to pick up cargo from another island. The Al Akther had six crewmen on board when it was reported missing. No trace of the vessel has been found while rescue boats look for survivors. Another vessel, the Al Faisal, was also sailing in the area near the Al Akther. The Al Faisal got caught in the same rough seas and was able to keep the vessel from capsizing by tossing overboard most of its cargo. Reports state the crew of the Al Faisal were later rescued.
