Efforts to plug leak from today

The shipping authorities will on Thursday start efforts to plug the leak in the sunken ship MV Rak Carrier.

The shipping authorities will on Thursday start efforts to plug the leak in the sunken ship MV Rak Carrier.

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The decision was taken following a review meeting called by the Directorate General of Shipping. It was decided to conduct an assessment of the leak and then get expert divers to plug it.

The DG Shipping directed the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to undertake preliminary assessment of the oil being released from MV Rak.

The ONGC has been asked to release a suitable specialised diving support vessel for the purpose. It is expected to reach the site on Thursday morning, an official release said.

“The expert divers would identify the source of leak and, if practicable and possible, plug the leak to check the outflow,” said the release.

For this, the DG Shipping has instructed the agent of the ship owners to engage an expert diving supervisor to guide the diving operations.

Efforts will also be made to remove the remaining oil in the bunker tanks. The agents were also asked to seek expertise of International Tanker Owner Pollution Federation to assist in the survey mapping of the affected areas and provide guidance to the authorities to deal with the clean-up operation along the coastline and restoration of damage to marine life.

“The statutory investigation by the authority concerned into the shipping casualty and oil pollution is continuing and the depositions from the crew of the ship are being taken,” said the statement by the shipping authorities.