Oil spill off Mumbai from sunken ship
August 7th, 2011 - 4:00 pm ICT by IANSMumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) A cargo vessel which sunk off the Mumbai harbour Thursday has been leaking oil, an official said Sunday.
“Oil has been observed leaking from the sunken vessel Rak Carrier since late Saturday at an approximate rate of 1.5-2 tonnes per hour,” a navy official said.
“Coast Guard ship Samudra Prahari on patrol immediately responded and used oil spill dispersant to neutralise the spilled oil. Operation ‘Paryavaran Suraksha’ has also been launched by the Coast Guard,” he added.
According to the official, an aerial recce conducted Sunday morning indicated spread of oil up to seven nautical miles from the sunken vessel.
The Coast Guard has pressed another vessel, ICGS Sankalp, in the area, he added.
However, the coastal authorities have been advised to maintain strict vigil. “State authorities have also been advised to direct fishermen to refrain from fishing in the vicinity of the affected area,” the official said.
The ship MT Rak Carrier, laden with 60,000 tonnes of coal and 340 tonnes of fuel and diesel, sank Thursday afternoon, raising apprehensions of an ecological hazard.
The 30 crewmen aboard — all Indonesians, Jordanians and Romanians — were rescued in a coordinated effort by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
The Panama-flagged ship, owned and managed by M/s. Delta Shipping Marine Services, Qatar, was on a voyage from Lubuk-Tutung, Indonesia to Dahej Port in Gujarat, carrying a consignment of coal meant for Adani Enterprises Ltd.
Two top officials of the cargo vessel were Saturday arrested and later released on bail by a Mumbai court.
The duo — Jordanian Capt. Arkan Younis, 36, and Romanian chief engineer Eonascho Eon, 54 — were nabbed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 336, pertaining to endangering life or personal safety of others.
- Mumbai oil spill decreasing: Defence ministry - Aug 08, 2011
- Mumbai beaches face oil spill, people asked to stay off (Lead) - Aug 07, 2011
- Sunken ship's officials held, released on bail (Lead) - Aug 06, 2011
- Police nab officials of sunken ship - Aug 06, 2011
- Cargo ship sinks off Mumbai, probe ordered (Third Lead) - Aug 04, 2011
- 30 rescued from sinking cargo ship off Mumbai (Second Lead) - Aug 04, 2011
- Divers wait for good weather to plug Mumbai oil spill - Aug 11, 2011
- Mumbai oil spill decreasing, say officials (Lead) - Aug 08, 2011
- Divers to attempt plug oil leak from sunken ship - Aug 10, 2011
- Sunken ship spewing less oil, say maritime authorities - Aug 09, 2011
- Antony to chair meeting on ship incidents - Aug 08, 2011
- Off Mumbai, coast not clear of maritime disasters - Aug 09, 2011
- Abandoned ship M.T. Pavit's sea journey being 're-created' - Aug 05, 2011
- Coast guard rescue 30 crewmen from sinking ship (Lead) - Aug 04, 2011
- Coast guard rescue nine crewmen from sinking ship - Aug 04, 2011
Tags: adani, aerial recce, approximate rate, arkan, cargo vessel, chief engineer, coast guard ship, ecological hazard, indian navy, indian penal code, jordanians, mumbai court, navy official, oil spill dispersant, sankalp, spilled oil, state authorities, strict vigil, sunken ship, sunken vessel