Chennai:
The seventh attempt to tow stranded oil tanker M T Pratibha Cauvery from
Pattinapakkam coast ended successfully as the ship was hauled by Malviya 21 to
Chennai Port’s outer anchorage.
This comes in the wake
of Mercantile Marine Department stating that during the fifth attempt the
vessel moved nearly 50 degrees. “We are hopeful that by Sunday morning or
evening some positive news may be expected depending upon the tide,” MMD
sources had said.
Interestingly, this also
comes in the wake of Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan inspecting the stranded
vessel M T Pratibha Cauvery along with journalists while the tugging operation
was underway on Saturday. On the sixth attempt on Sunday morning, Vasan was
present expecting the ship to be towed. It was only at 6.20 pm the vessel was
towed away into high seas by 133 tonne Bollard Pull Malviya 21.
The success of the
sevent attempt is attributed to de-ballasting of 8,000 tonnes of water.
But on where is
Pratibha Cauvery headed to after being hauled, Vasan said discussions are still
on. “Right now the focus was to salvage the vessel,” he added.
The minister also said
that any action against Pratibha Shipping Company would be taken only after the
enquiry being conducted by the director general of shipping. It will be over in
a month’s time.
To a query on the
plight of the sailors stranded in several ships of Pratibha Shipping company,
he said that, “The sailors should be treated with dignity. Such attitude
from the owner can’t be accepted and ministry will ensure such issue should not
take place again. We will take strict action as per law,” he said.
To another query on
why the posts of Mercantile Marine Department is yet to be filled, he said the
five posts will be filled up soon.
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