Partially sunken Sagar Paschimi poses oil spillage threat

VISAKHAPATNAM: An ocean research and survey vessel from Chennai has been lying partially submerged in the coastal waters near the Fishing Harbour since Cyclone Hudhud struck the city on October 12, 2014, triggering apprehensions among city environmental organisations about oil spillage in the future.
Even though the central government institute, Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), which owns the ship, had intimated the ministry concerned about the incident, bureaucratic clearances and coordination among various government departments and ministries has led to delays in salvaging the vessel even seven months after it got partly submerged.
The research and survey vessel - CRV Sagar Paschimi, measuring 30.1 x 6.6 metres was acquired by the Union ministry of earth sciences. The vessel, like its counterpart Sagar Purvi, was meant for monitoring the waters off the coast, studying pollution, as well as collecting biological and chemical samples for lab analysis. Due to the rough seas during Cyclone Hudhud, the vessel had drifted and gotten half submerged in the waters near the coast. Its 12 crew members fortunately escaped from the boat during the cyclone.
But the latest cause of concern is the thousands of litres of oil that's stocked in the boat. According to sources, the vessel was carrying around 7,000 litres of oil. However, NIOT authorities stated they were not sure of the exact amount and ruled out any apparent threats of oil spillage.
However, environment activists pointed out that leaving the half-submerged vessel was risky and could cause an accident anytime. "The sea can get rough anytime and one never knows how a storm or cyclone will impact the vessel again. Also, some fishermen may try to break it open, or do something to the vessel out of ignorance, which may result in an oil spill," said S Ravi Kanth Reddy, director of Meecons (Mother Earth Environment Consciousness Society)
"In case of an oil spill, propellers of other fishing boats venturing into the sea in the vicinity of the submerged vessel can get affected or may even catch fire. Besides, there will be a tremendous loss to marine life, affecting the livelihood of the fisherfolk community as well as locals in the surroundings areas. So, the sooner it's retrieved, the better," he added.
A senior scientist from another central government research institute in Vizag, said, "As far as our knowledge goes, private contractors were supposed to remove the vessel but then work was not carried out. The vessel needs to be carefully taken out of the water and it requires technical skill as well as expenditure."
NIOT director MA Atmanand pointed out that necessary procedures for removal of the vessel from the waters were underway and it would be initiated soon. "We have been constantly following up on it but since it involves various marine departments such as the fisheries, coast guard and so on as well as ministries such as earth sciences, shipping and finance, clearances and permission at every stage are taking some time. Since the vessel is insured, as per protocol, finances involved in its retrieval won't be a problem. Had it not been followed up, the vessel might have been lying there for decades as is the case with some ships off the Chennai and Lakshadweep coasts."
However, assuring on the precautions observed to check any oil spill, the director added, "All international maritime protocol will be maintained to check any oil pollution and accordingly, the vessel as well as the oil will be retrieved."
DRIFTING DANGER
Built in 1996, NIOT Chennai's research and survey vessel CRV Sagar Paschimi measures 30.1 x 6.6 metres.
Vessel was acquired by the Union ministry of Earth Sciences to monitor waters off the coast and study pollution
The vessel, said to contain thousands of litres of oil, drifted and partially sank in the waters off the Fishing Harbour during Hudhud.
Sagar Paschimi is yet to be retrieved from the waters of the Bay of Bengal, sparking oil spill fears.
The Shipping Corporation of India had called tenders for salvage of this vessel from the waters