The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — The Coast Guard and the bulk carrier Maersk Altair are no longer responding to 28 crewmembers aboard the 740-foot India-flagged bulk carrier that was disabled and adrift 544 miles southwest of Adak Island. The APJ Suryavir crew reported the engines have been fixed and they are continuing their voyage to Portland, Ore.
The vessel lost engine power nearly four days ago and began encountering adverse weather conditions comprised of 30-foot seas and winds in excess of 60 mph causing the vessel to take 45 degree rolls Sunday morning.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast in the area after the captain of the APJ Suryavir requested Coast Guard assistance and was planning to abandon ship.
The bulk carrier vessel Maersk Altair responded to the UMIB and was heading toward the India-flagged vessel before the crew fixed the engines. The Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, a 378-foot high-endurance cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif., was also responding.
A Coast Guard C-130 was launched from Air Station Kodiak Sunday night and arrived to monitor the situation of the APJ Suryavir and has since landed at Adak Island. During its return flight back to Kodiak the C-130 crew will pass over the ship to ensure the safety of the crew.
There have been no reports of any injuries and the Coast Guard plans to keep a communications schedule with the ship’s crew.
There have been no reports of any injuries and the Coast Guard plans to keep a communications schedule with the ship’s crew.
