A Iranian Merchant vessel, on its way to Khorramshaher from Indonesia, developed "flooding problem" and has been anchored off south Indian port city Kochi.
The Kochi port authorites informed the Coast Guard, which provided water and food to the six Indonesia crew and an Iranian master.
Coast Guard and its ship 'Samar' rendered timely assistance to the vessel 'M V Andrian III', Deputy Inspector General B K Loshali, Commander of District Headquarters and Samar's Commanding officer DIG T K S Chandran told reporters here on Saturday.
The flooding was caused due to cracks in the internal tanks of the Panama-flagged vessel, they said.
The ship had left Djakarta on July 2 for the Iranian port. It developed serious shortage of provisions, fuel and water, Loshali said.
"The 36-year-old ship, which is in a poor state, has sought permission to enter Kochi harbour, but it would be given only after competent authorties ceritifed that the ship was fit for this movement," Chandran said.
They expressed surprise that it ran out of fuel, provisions and water half way through its voyage and said this would be investigated.
"Only after the vessel is allowed to enter the Kochi port, repair works can be carried out," they added.