With cracks appearing in the middle of the deck of the 'SSL Kolkata', the Bengal government held a meeting with stakeholders to tackle any oil spillage if it occured. The ship remained anchored nearly 18 km from the Sunderbans with about 210 tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks. On June 28 water was pouring into the ship through the cracks at the starboard side and it had started tilting. The expert team from SMIT Salvage has also made it clear the ship could not be refloated or towed away. The only option that remained is to transfer the fuel into inflatable (Dracone) barges that the Coast Guard has already sent to the location. The ships with pollution-control dispersant and other equipment were on standby. The Dorniers from Kolkata were carrying out sorties. However, in case of oil spillage, the larger ships of the Coast Guard can’t approach the spot due to shoaling and lack of draught. The state government has asked 25 fishing trawlers to be ready to move in with the dispersant in case any oil spill is spotted. The government was also keeping in touch with other agencies like Kolkata Port Trust, Navy and Indian Air Force. While the sea state was rough in the area and the risk of the ship breaking in two, the Coast Guard did not expect the fuel tanks would rupture. The tanks were not located near the place where the cracks have been located. For salvors it was too risky aboard. There were containers that would fall if the vessel broke up. If any of the containers started floating, instead of sinking in the shallow waters, it could pose a threat to other ships in the area. Tugs and trawlers have been kept on a stand-by to handle the situation if any container starts floating.
WORLD SHIPPING
30 June 2018 - 15:14
Ship has water ingress through cracks
With cracks appearing in the middle of the deck of the 'SSL Kolkata', the Bengal government held a meeting with stakeholders to tackle any oil spillage if it occured
WORLD SHIPPING
30 June 2018 - 15:14
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