The tug was en route from Vishakapatnam to Mumbai when it developed a crack in the steering compartment, leading to flooding of the cabin and posed a threat of sinking, a statement by the Coast Guard said.
On receiving the information, Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre alerted ships operating in radius of 50 nautical miles from the tug.
A 'Mearsk Brooklyn' vessel operating close to the distressed ship was requested to provide assistance till the arrival of Coast Guard ship 'Varad'.
All the crewmembers are safe, the statement said.