Thursday, November 1, 2012

Divers from abroad to help salvage the ship


C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The stranded ship Pratibha Cauvery will be towed away from Chennai Coast by using Emergency Tow Vessel and using the help of international divers.

Port officials told Express that expertise is sought from Singapore based company Messers Smith to salvage the ship.

He said ETV has already started from Mumbai and will reach in a day or two. “We are also taking the help of divers. Two divers have already come. Six others are expected by tomorrow,” a senior port official said.

A coordination committee meeting was held on Thursday where the Coastguard, Tamil Nadu police, Director General Shipping, Indian Customs and Mercantile Marine Department held discussions on giving clearance to bring all the equipments into India to salvage the ship.

“These divers are from different countries and are expert in salvaging operations,” the senior official said.

The oil chemical tanker was put into service in 1981. The ship was hired by Indian Oil Corporation to deliver low diesel oil at Chennai Port. It was on September 25, the ship reached the coast of Chennai. But was to wait till September 28 to get permission for being berthed in VD3. After the delivery of the consignment it was redelivered to the company and was due for dry dock. It was anchored outside Chennai port and on October 8, it again entered the port limits for getting the provisions and stores. “We are awaiting the further orders from the office,” said a crew member.

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