How Kenyan authorities rescued Madagascar-flagged vessel

Officers from the Kenya Coast Guard Services and Kenya Navy rescued a Madagascar-flagged vessel that had been lost at sea for four days.

The vessel, MV Chamda III with MMSI No 647861302 departed Tanga in Tanzania on July 30 on a voyage to Madagascar before it developed mechanical problems.

It had 17 crew members and two passengers on board.

Kenya Maritime Authority director general Martin Dzombo said they received a distress call on August 3.

The call had been made to KMA’s regional maritime rescue coordination centre.

The vessel, which had a cargo of anointing oil, is said to have lost electrical power just a day after leaving Tanga and subsequently drifted for four days before crossing to Kenyan waters.

The initial urgent call was received by the maritime rescue coordination centre, Dar es Salaam who handed over the incident to the KMA’s regional maritime rescue coordination centre, Mombasa when the vessel crossed over to the Kenyan waters.

“The KMA coordinated the search and rescue operation in collaboration with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Navy, Kenya Ports Authority and the local communities who had been on the lookout,” Dzombo said.

The vessel was sighted in Malindi.

Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS) deployed MV Doria to tow the vessel.

KCGS said in a statement the operation to tow the vessel was swiftly coordinated by KCGS officers and the Kenya Navy.

“Their expert coordination initiated a towing operation to ensure safety for the crew and vessel while exemplifying the importance of inter-agency cooperation,” KCGS said.

The vessel was towed to Mbaraki Wharf in Likoni, Mombasa.

It arrived on Monday at 2.30am.

All the crew and the two passengers were safe.

After berthing the vessel at Mbaraki Wharf, a multiagency team comprising KCGS, Kenya Ports Authority, Port health officers, Immigration Department, Kenya Revenue Authority and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations inspected the vessel.

KMA said this is a routine procedure following a maritime search and rescue incident to ascertain the crew and passengers were safe.

It also helps to identify any medical needs and establish liaison arrangements if necessary to ensure the crew and passengers are safely repatriated to their country.

KMA’s port state control officers also inspected the vessel and are currently in consultation with the local agent and the Madagascar authorities.

Arrangements are underway for the vessel to sail after the required repairs are done to ensure the safety of the vessel as it sails out.