Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

SLN and SLAF deploy ships and an aircraft to assist an oil tanker on fire

September 03, 2020

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has deployed two ships and a fast attack craft to assist a foreign oil tanker caught on fire at the seas 38 nautical miles off  the Sangaman Kanda Point a short while ago, Navy Spokesman Capt. Indika De Silva said.

Navy Spokesman said the fire has erupted in the ship’s engine room and no damages to the crew on board were reported so far.

SLN deployed vessels initiating swift measures following a distress call alarmed by another ship sailing nearby.

In support of the SLN effort, a Beechcraft has been deployed for the reconnaissance and MI-17 Helicopter is standby with the Bambi Bucket to douse the fire, Air Force Spokesperson Group Capt. Dushan Wijesinghe said.