Coast Guard, Karwar Port battle to plug slick of Singapore vessel

Panaji, June 1 (UNI) The Coast Guard Jawans of Goa Command and the Port Control have today been battling to plug the oil slick from the Singapore vesssl 'Ocean Saraya' that was drifted onto 'Oyster Bay Rocks' off Karwar port in the west coast on Tuesday.

''We are trying our best to complete the task as early as possible. The situation however is not alarming, ''according to Comdt M D Prasad of the Goa Coast Guard.

Briefing on the developments at the site, Mr Prasad told UNI that the authorities had gained access to the aground ship and started spraying non-toxic oil spill dispersants to neutralise the oil leaking into the sea.

The coast guard personnel had reached the spot, 42 miles from here, on its fast patrol vessel besides a dornier aircraft and chetak helicopter.

The quantum of oil that had already leaked could not be estimated till the experts located the tank that gave in. The vessel might have six to seven oil tanks all containing about 650 tonnes.

The leakage might be from the rear side of the vesssel which might have been raptured by the rocks on which it was aground, he said.

''We are trying to decant the oil from the tank once we locate it and close the volves. We are going by the drawings of the ship but it is dark inside,'' he said.

The vessel, 230 metre long and 32 metre wide with 650 tonnes of fuel, was expected to carry iron ore from Karwar.

All the 20 crew members execpt one were airlifted to safety on receipt of ther distress signal on Tuesday.

UNI BM MJ RL HS1910