Efforts begin to salvage stranded ship

Five days after it broke free from its tow and ran aground at the Juhu beach, efforts began today to salvage freighter MV Wisdom with Naval helicopters pressed into service.

Five days after it broke free from its tow and ran aground at the Juhu beach, efforts began on Thursday to salvage freighter MV Wisdom with Naval helicopters pressed into service.

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Indian Navy helicopters began dropping heavy duty wires and other equipment on the deck of the merchant vessel this afternoon.

"The Naval helicopters are helping in tying the huge and bulky tug ropes onto the vessel. Once this is complete, the ropes will be attached to a tug which will pull out M V Wisdom," Director General of Shipping S B Agnihotri said.

The tug is expected to reach the spot late this evening and salvers hope to take advantage of the high tide on Friday when they plan to start the pull out of the vessel, Agnihotri said. The salvage efforts are likely to conclude by Saturday evening.

While DGS is coordinating in the salavaging efforts, the vessel owner has commissioned a professional salvaging company for the job in which the Indian Navy is assisting, he said.

As the vessel was being taken to be dismantled, it did not have any cargo or fuel and was unmanned.