Panaji, June 4 (IANS) A cargo vessel used to transport iron ore from Goa ran aground off the Calangute beach after a heavy squall lashed the shores across the state, officials said Saturday.

The vessel, anchored at the Mormugao port, is in the process of being towed away, district administration and ports officials said.

"The vessel got caught in the squall and came close to the Calangute shore, from where it was parked near the port area. The crew was aboard the vessel but could not do much to navigate the ship," Deputy Collector D.M. Redkar told IANS, adding that the vessel had fortunately not run hard aground.

"The vessel is being towed away right now. There is no crisis. It struck the shore around 9 Friday night. There is no reason to worry," Deputy Captain of Ports James Braganza said.

Goa is struggling to remove a transhipper, M.V. River Princess, for the last ten years since it ran aground on the adjoining Candolim beach. Environmentalists have said the wreck not only presents an ugly sight at the beach but has fouled ecology in the area.