Coast Guard Recovers Beacon From Sunk Ship

Kalpana Kanungo - Mumbai Bureau Aug 25, 2026 1,050 Views

The Indian Coast Guard has recovered an emergency beacon and located an empty lifeboat linked to the sunken cargo ship MV Ocean Winner in the Bay of Bengal. With no new survivors found, extensive surface and air searches remain active to locate 22 missing crew members.

NEW DELHI / PARADIP — The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) announced on Tuesday that search and rescue teams have recovered an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and located an empty lifeboat linked to the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner, which sank last week in the Bay of Bengal.

The vessel went down approximately 230 nautical miles off the coast of Paradip, Odisha, while carrying over 70,000 tonnes of iron ore. While two crew members were rescued days prior, the latest sweeps of the maritime incident zone yielded no further survivors, prompting authorities to deploy additional air and surface assets to trace the remaining 22 missing personnel.

Intensified Search Operations and Beacon Recovery

The breakthrough in tracking debris came after aerial surveillance assets detected a localized transmission signal. The advanced Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel ICGS Varad was guided to the location, where it successfully recovered the emergency beacon. A subsequent inspection of a located lifeboat by an onboard boarding team confirmed no survivors were present.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is maintaining active coordination with regional partners, including international merchant vessels and the Maritime Search and Rescue Centre of China, to widen the grid search.

According to official updates released by the Indian Coast Guard, regional port authorities, and maritime statements:

Incident Location: Approximately 230 to 240 nautical miles off the Paradip coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.
Vessel Details: Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner, transporting iron ore.
Casualty Metrics: 24 total crew members on board; 2 initially rescued, leaving 22 missing.
Recovered Assets: An emergency beacon and an empty lifeboat verified by ICGS Varad.

Official Sources Section

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Official Portal: Official maritime search updates, vessel deployment logs, and MRCC coordination notices.
Paradip Port Authority Official Disclosures: Port clearance records, tracking logs, and cargo manifest details regarding the MV Ocean Winner.
Press Information Bureau (PIB) India: Government press releases detailing joint rescue operations involving the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

Quote Section

According to statements released by Indian Coast Guard spokesperson Commandant Amit Uniyal regarding the ongoing operations:

"The search for the remaining missing crew members is continuing with sustained efforts, with Coast Guard assets, aircraft, and merchant vessels maintaining an extensive search of the area."

Why It Matters

For international shipping lanes, regional maritime safety frameworks, and commercial logistics providers operating across South Asian waters, high-seas maritime incidents require rapid, multi-agency coordination. The deployment of international assets and continuous aerial sweeps underline the critical importance of emergency transponders like EPIRBs in locating distress vectors in open water.

Key Facts at a Glance

Vessel Name: MV Ocean Winner (Panama-flagged bulk carrier).
Cargo: 72,100 tonnes of iron ore destined for international markets.
Active Responders: Indian Coast Guard ships (ICGS Varad, Anmol, Vijit) alongside diverted commercial merchant vessels.
Current Status: Intensive surface and air search underway for 22 unaccounted-for crew members.

FAQ Section

What caused the sinking of the MV Ocean Winner in the Bay of Bengal?

The exact technical cause of the sinking remains under investigation as maritime authorities focus entirely on active search and rescue operations for the missing crew.

How many crew members have been rescued so far?

Two survivors were rescued from liferafts by a diverted commercial merchant vessel shortly after the initial distress alert.

What is the role of the recovered emergency beacon?

The Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) helps search and rescue teams pinpoint the precise geographic coordinates of maritime accidents or floating debris.

Where can stakeholders track official updates on the rescue mission?

Official operational updates are communicated via the Indian Coast Guard Portal and government press disclosures.