Oil spill in sea: Coast Guard undertakes mopping operation

Amid reports that lot of fish and turtles have died due to oil spill in sea near Chennai after collission of two ships, Indian Coast Guard coordinated the mopping operations.

A press release said ICG is coordinating mopping operations of oil slick which was spilled over due to collision between MT Dawn Kanchipuram and MT BW Mapel.

On receiving an information from the Inspector Fisheries Dept, Ennore about drifting of oil spill near shore at Ram Krishna Nagar Kuppam near Ennore, the Coast Guard promptly mobilised their Pollution Response Team (East) team for the Mopping operation in close liaison with the State District Collector, Pollution Board, Ennore Port and local fisheries authorities.

The team led by the Deputy Officer-in Charge Coast Guard Pollution Response Team (East) rushed to scene and carried out the assessment of the oil slick drifted near the Ram Krishna Nagar Kuppam beach.

Initial assessment indicated a small patch of about 50 X30 mtrs stretch along the rock beach area was affected by HFO suspected to be from collision ship MT Dawn Kanchipuram.

Coast Guard Pollution Response Team alongwith Oil MOP Skimmer with all gears under took the mopping operations to clear the drifted Oil sleek from the beach area. The mopping operation is likely to continue for the next day with an aim clean the beach from the oil slick.

A notice has already been issued to the Master and the Owner of the vessel under MS Shipping Act Section 356(J) to take all actions to undertake containment and recovery of oil spill and all to take all necessary action to keep environment clean as prevailing before the incident.