A dramatic sequence of events unfolded in the Arabian Sea as Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 drifted closer to the coast off Kochi, Kerala. Mathrubhumi has learnt that there was a dispute between the owner of the fire-stricken container ship and the tug operator who was to draw the vessel away from the Kochi coast.

Sources told Mathrubhumi that the dispute over towing charges had been going on since couple of days. But it reached a tipping point when the tug boat owner apparently sought a higher rate for using a metal cable instead of the normal rope, one of which had snapped earlier. This, after the tug operator had already been on contract for five days. While this fiasco was going on, the MV Wan Hai 503 was drifting closer to the coast.

To recall, the vessel caught fire on June 9 some 88 nautical miles (162 km) from the coast of Beypore in Kerala. The 890-foot vessel was transporting 1,754 containers, of which 143 contained cargo classified as dangerous under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. This included highly sensitive materials such as flammable liquids, toxic substances, and other solid hazardous materials. The series of explosions and the resulting fire on board led to dozens of these containers plummeting into the Arabian Sea.

Fire-fighting operations continued for the next couple of days. Since June 11, the vessel's drift was being regulated by a Coast Guard ship. Yet, the vessel continued to drift closer to the coastline.

With just 27 nautical miles (50 km) separating the vessel from getting beached at the Kochi coast, the Indian Navy stepped in. According to sources, the Navy made in clear that if the vessel owner and tug boat operator do not reach an agreement soon, it would "deal with the issue in its own way".

Sources confirmed that the Navy's warning prompted the two sides to end the stalemate. On Friday, towing operations commenced. An Indian Navy Seaking helicopter winched down salvors on the deck of the vessel who shifted the tow from Coast Guard ships to the salvage tugs. The fact that the insertion was done amidst challenging weather and sea conditions made the operation even more daring.

At the time of filing this report, MV Wan Hai 503 had been pulled 35 nautical miles away from land -- the tug speed restricted to 1.5 knots owing to inclement weather in the deep sea.

Coast Guard, meanwhile, is still carrying out the operation to control the fire aboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel. The Coast Guard's relentless 24/7 operations, carried out despite challenging sea conditions, have significantly reduced the threat of an oil spill or other marine disasters.

Sources in Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office said Kerala government is closely monitoring the situation. "We are in touch with all concerned including shipping ministry. The scenario is being analysed closely and very frequently," sources said.