Tanker struck bulk carrier, ships remain coupled to avoid disaster, India

Product tanker ATLANTIC GRACE and bulk carrier AVIATOR collided at around 1700 UTC Nov 26 in the Gulf of Kutch, western India, while proceeding in opposite directions. Tanker bow struck bulk carrier portside in cargo holds area, and understood, the ships remained coupled, most likely to avoid mass water ingress into a bulk carrier, which may cause capsize and sinking. As of 1500 UTC Nov 27, both ships remained in the same position, seemingly still not detached, with salvage tug at their side.
UTC 1505 UPDATE: understood ships are decoupled or in process of decoupling. Photos Indian Coast Guard.

ATLANTIC GRACE is or was en route from Kandla to Fujairah UAE, AVIATOR was proceeding to Kandla.

Oil/Chemical Tanker ATLANTIC GRACE is currently located at WCI – West Coast India at position 22° 34′ 14.0″ N, 069° 17′ 18.8″ E as reported by MarineTraffic Terrestrial Automatic Identification System on 2021-11-27 19:51 UTC (now)

heading to FUJAIRAH, AE with reported Estimated Time of Arrival at 2021-11-30 10:30 LT (UTC +5.5) local time (in 2 days, 9 hours )

ATLANTIC GRACE (IMO: 9337511) is an Oil/Chemical Tanker that was built in 2008 (13 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong.

AVIATOR (IMO: 9363754) is a Bulk Carrier that was built in 2007 (14 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Marshall Is.

Its carrying capacity is 18957 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 5 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 139.92 meters and her width is 25 meters.

No leaks reported so far, tanker apparently, was in ballast.