MUMBAI: A Panama-flagged merchant tanker got grounded off Juhu-Versova beach after it was abandoned by its Dubai owners off the coast of Oman on June 29, less than a month after a cargo vessel was towed away from Juhu beach.
The unmanned 999-tonne MT Pavit drifted off near the Godrej bungalow early on Sunday, leading to another security and environmental scare. The incident has raised questions about coastal security as maritime agencies were aware about its presence only after it safely berthed off the beach.
S B Agnihotri, director-general of shipping, said the chances of an oil spill were negligible as the ship contained 30 MT fuel and it was double-bottomed.
The emergency tug vessel SMIT Lumba, which was involved in the rescue of the Singapore-flagged MV Wisdom, has moved towards Pavit to render emergency assistance. Wisdom had been grounded at Juhu beach for 22 days as attempts to tow it away ship had failed thrice since the vessel arrived on June 11. It had caused a security scare as it had drifted close to the Bandra Worli sea link after its cable snapped with a tug vessel.
A shipping official said, "The salvors will begin rescue operations after preparing a plan. The vessel will be towed and anchored outside of the port. This vessel is smaller compared to Wisdom, which was 9,000 tonnes and was 147-m long. We do not foresee any delay in moving the ship. Even a high tide that is above the draft of the ship will suffice to make the vessel float."
Coast guard officials said the ship had began to drift off the Oman coast on June 29 due to engine failure and ingress of water in the engine room. It was reportedly abandoned off Oman and its 13 crew, all Indians on board, were rescued and brought to Kandla port by a ship of the Great Eastern Shipping and a US naval warship.
The owners of the 1990-built vessel are reported to be Pavit Shipping Lines, Dubai, and its managers Prime Tankers LLC, Dubai.
Capt Manohar Nambiar, chief PRO, defence, said, "The owners are engaging salvors (tugs) for its removal."
The unmanned 999-tonne MT Pavit drifted off near the Godrej bungalow early on Sunday, leading to another security and environmental scare. The incident has raised questions about coastal security as maritime agencies were aware about its presence only after it safely berthed off the beach.
S B Agnihotri, director-general of shipping, said the chances of an oil spill were negligible as the ship contained 30 MT fuel and it was double-bottomed.
The emergency tug vessel SMIT Lumba, which was involved in the rescue of the Singapore-flagged MV Wisdom, has moved towards Pavit to render emergency assistance. Wisdom had been grounded at Juhu beach for 22 days as attempts to tow it away ship had failed thrice since the vessel arrived on June 11. It had caused a security scare as it had drifted close to the Bandra Worli sea link after its cable snapped with a tug vessel.
A shipping official said, "The salvors will begin rescue operations after preparing a plan. The vessel will be towed and anchored outside of the port. This vessel is smaller compared to Wisdom, which was 9,000 tonnes and was 147-m long. We do not foresee any delay in moving the ship. Even a high tide that is above the draft of the ship will suffice to make the vessel float."
Coast guard officials said the ship had began to drift off the Oman coast on June 29 due to engine failure and ingress of water in the engine room. It was reportedly abandoned off Oman and its 13 crew, all Indians on board, were rescued and brought to Kandla port by a ship of the Great Eastern Shipping and a US naval warship.
The owners of the 1990-built vessel are reported to be Pavit Shipping Lines, Dubai, and its managers Prime Tankers LLC, Dubai.
Capt Manohar Nambiar, chief PRO, defence, said, "The owners are engaging salvors (tugs) for its removal."