No threat to Indian Coast from Jap oil spilling tanker

Port Blair, Aug 15 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard today confirmed that there is no environmental threat to marine life or coastal pollution from Japanese Oil tanker, Bright Artemis, which has spilled huge quantity of crude oil near Indian Ocean after a collision.

''There is no cause to worry. The vessel has got a small crack and is far away from Indian Territory,'' Public Relation Officer of Indian Coast Guard (Andaman and Nicobar Region) Deputy Commandant Krishna Kumar said.

According to reports, the oil spill occurred after the tanker, named Bright Artemis, collided with a cargo vessel.

The cargo vessel, a Singapore-flagged ship called the Amar, was on fire and requesting assistance. When the oil tanker tried to rescue the crew in heavy seas, the two ships collided.

The collision occurred between Sri Lanka and Sumatra.

The accident happened yesterday, at about 300 miles west of Indira Point at the southernmost end of Indian territory, Mr Kumar told UNI.

The tanker, which was carrying 249,997 tons of crude oil for Tokyo-based Cosmo Oil Co., was heading to Japan from Saudi Arabia.

''The oil spill is not going to hit Indian Coast. The sea is so rough that it wont allow oil spill to enter in our Exclusive Economic Zone,'' the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant added.

He said even if the oil spill enters inside Indian waters, Coast Guard is ready for that.

''We are monitoring the situation closely,'' Mr Kumar said.

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