India Seize Russian Ship after 11-Hour Chase
In a dramatic nightlong sea-air coordinated chase, the Indian Coast Guard ship interdicted a Russian Federation Flagged Cargo Vessel MV Sevastopol, which was under order of arrest issued by the Madras High Court, about 100 nautical miles north-west of Mumbai.
MV Sevastopol, anchored at 15 nautical miles (28 km) north-west of the Mumbai coast in Alpha Anchorage, had switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and navigational equipment, and tried to flee around 1 am IST yesterday (Tuesday) in an attempt to escape the judicial proceedings.
The vessel managed to sail up to 110 nautical miles (204 km) away from the coast till it was interdicted by the Coast guard officials commanded by Umed Singh.
The Madras high court had told the authorities to detain the vessel, which was in the heart of a "commercial dispute". Coast Guard sources said the ship was trying to enter United Arab Emirates waters.
The company owning the ship is facing litigation in the Madras high court after NTC Logistics Pvt Ltd, Chennai, filed a plea. The HC had issued an "arrest warrant" against the vessel on February 13. "The information was shared with us on February 15," a defence spokesperson said.
The ship is being escorted back to Mumbai harbour and is likely to arrive today (Wednesday).
