A 1,100-ton capacity Sri Lankan cargo vessel, MV Ida, on its way to Colombo capsized in Tuticorin waters on August 29.

The ten crewmembers were unhurt and reached Tuticorin port on August 30.

The ship was carrying 951 tons of fly ash, packed in 634 "jumbo packs" (each pack containing 1.5 tonnes of fly ash), during the incident.

The vessel soon lost its equilibrium and water entered the weather deck, the cabins and engine room.

The captain, Ishaq Yusoof, and the other crewmembers jumped to life-saving rafts. A Coast Guard ship Naiki Devi rescued them from sea.

Offshore patrol vessel "Veera" was dispatched to remove the oil spills and study the environmental damage in the area. About five tons of fuel and oil reportedly spilled from the wrecked ship into the sea.

Source: Infomarine.com 08/31/05