Chennai: A day after LPG Carrier MT Maple collided with crude oil carrier MT Dawn Kanchipuram on Saturday, resulting in oil spill throughout the coast, Indian Coast Guard initiated the mopping operations on Sunday.
The spill has left the visitors at Marina beach frightened to get into the water. A visitor, Sandhya Kiran, said, “A thick layer of oil accompanied by foul smell can be felt at the beach. I did not let my children to get in, fearing skin allergies.”
Fishermen who ventured into the sea also complained of difficulties in fishing due to oil spillage. ‘I noticed dead fish in the sea between Chennai port and Ennore Port. It has affected my catch,” said Desamuthu, a fisherman.
A press release from Coast guard stated that the department is mobilising the Pollution Response Team (East) for the mopping operations, after receiving the information from the Inspector, Fisheries Dept, Ennore
“We are conducting the operation, in close liaison with the State District Collector, Pollution Board, Ennore Port and local fisheries authorities. The team led by the Deputy Officer-in Charge Coast Guard Pollution Response Team (East) rushed to scene and carried out the assessment of the oil slick drifted near Ram Krishna Nagar Kuppam beach,” the release stated.
Initial assessment indicated a small patch of about 50 X30 meters stretch along the rock beach area was affected by Heavy Fuel Oil suspected to be from collision ship MT Dawn Kanchipuram, said an official. The mopping operation is likely to continue for another day, to drift the oil sleek out from the beach.
A notice has already been issued to the Master and the Owner of the vessel under MS Shipping Act Section 356(J) to take action to undertake containment and recovery of oil spill and to keep environment clean as it was before the incident.
