K'taka: Ship mishap averted near M'lore port

Mangalore, July 16: Another major vessel tragedy, similar to this months M V Den Den capsize near Mangalore coast, was averted by the timely thinking of the pilot of a cargo ship on Friday last.

According to sources at New Mangalore Port trust (NMPT), a Karachi-based cargo vessel 'Makran', which left the New Mangalore Port berth yesterday after loading with iron ore, developed the steering problem which was detected by the pilot of the vessel.

Sensing the problem, the pilot immediately sought the suggestions from the Deputy Conservator of the Port K V Vaswani. The later advised the pilot to return the vessel to the port. As the vessel had not gone far from the port, it was tugged back to the berth No eight.

Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) which would look into the steering problem would make appropriate suggestion, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the preliminary arrangements for the salvage of the sunken ship M V Den Den had begun with marine equipment, including diving gears, large marine pumps, pipeline, battery backups, excavators generators and electronic gadgets were kept ready in two special containers at Tannirbavi Beach near the port.

According to sources, the operation of extracting 140 tonnes of furnace oil and 1500 litres of marine fuel from the sunken vessel would be done by 'Hot tap method'. Den Den is lying on its side since June 23 at Tannirbavi beach. The salvaging work would begin soon after the rough weather condition returned to normal.

UNI

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