Team succeeds in opening hatch of stranded Chinese ship

Mangalore, Sep 9 (UNI) An eight-member expert team from Holland-based Svitzer Salvage Company, which arrived here from Singapore on Friday, today succeeded in opening the hatch of the stranded Chinese merchant vessel 'Chang Le Men', which had been beached at 16 degrees about 1400 m from Tannirbavi beach.

A top official of the Old Mangalore Port told UNI here that the team was now engaged in efforts to pump out water from the ship. The team was also awaiting a fully equipped tug from Mumbai, which was expected at the port today.

He said the ship was now in a stable condition and all 28 crew members were safe.

The salvage team, led by Master Tan Geedee, had held discussions with the officials of the Old Mangalore Port, Mercantile Marine Department and the Coast Guards at the Old Port yesterday and submitted its plan to shift the iron ore fines from the ship to another barge without polluting the sea. The cargo would be later reloaded into the vessel at the New Mangalore Port.

One more salvage expert team from Singapore was expected here today.

UNI