Gandhinagar, Nov 27 (IANS): Two ships have collided at around 12 nautical miles off Okha coast in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat.

According to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), all crew members are safe and there is no oil spill or marine pollution so far. Monitoring is on as one of two ships is 183 meter long oil/chemical tanker.

At around 9.30 p.m. on November 26, there was a mid sea collision between a bulk carrier MV Aviator and oil/chemical tanker MV Atlantic Grace occurring off 12 nautical miles away from Okha in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat. MV Aviator was approaching from Marshal Island, while the other vessel, MV Atlantic Grace was coming from Hong Kong, it said.

On being intimated, the ICG sent interceptor boats C-403 from Mundra patrolling in area and C-411 from Okha for assessment of area towards marine pollution as the area is very sensitive marine diversity reserve. ICG pollution control vessel ICGS Samudra Pavak was also diverted for assessment and preventive measures towards marine oil pollution.

The Coast Guard has also sent a helicopter to carry out pollution assessment and provide assistance. Every ICG deployed for area assessment have reported no oil spill or marine pollution from both the merchant vessels and the area is being continuously monitored for any marine pollution eventually.

The last port of call of both ships was Kandla. Next port of call for Hong Kong flagged MV Atlantic Grace was Fujairah while in case of Marshal Island flagged MV Aviator it was Tuna port anchorage. MV Atlantic has 21 Indian on board as crew while MV Aviator has 22 persons from Philippines as crew members.