Operation postponed to Tuesday as vessel from Kakinada did not arrive on time
The salvage operations of the beached vessel MT Pratibha Cauvery will commence on Tuesday due to the delayed arrival of the tug, ‘Malaviya,’ from Kakinada.
Initially, it was decided to commence the operations on Monday and complete it in three days.
According to official sources, the delay is attributed to a host of factors such as loading of tow ropes, diving and gearing devices on to the tug. These materials are essential for the operations. As of Sunday evening, the tug was still at Kakinada.
Another emergency tug vessel, SCI Ratna, being sent by Directorate General of Shipping, would arrive on Wednesday.
The stranded vessel has very little diesel oil and 357 tonnes of furnace oil. It has been decided not to move the furnace oil to a higher tank as it would be difficult for the barge with the necessary equipment to reach the vessel. Also, a portion of water in the ballast tank would either be shifted or removed to make it easier for the vessel to become afloat so that it can be moved from its current location.
Efforts were on to recover the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), documents and log records that were on board. The VDR would provide vital details about the conversations that took place between the master of the ship, Chennai Port Trust officials and others on the fateful day, another official said.
The vessel would be docked at the Chennai Port Trust after salvation.
Keywords: MT Pratibha Cauvery, Cyclone Nilam
I am Retired CPO from the Indian Navy. I have seen the grounded vessel
MT Prathibha Cauvery which is standing erect. I suggest that the Salvage
operation be carried out on 13.11.2012 as it is a new moon day and the
highest of high tide on the new moon day will help the vessel float and
it can towed with two heavy Tug easily. On a normal day the chances of
the vessel tilting to one side is more. This one week may be used for
preparation. I have done similar operation while at service. –Regards-
A.Subramanian- Retired CPO- Indian Navy.
I recall a ship named "Stamatis" that ran aground due to a severe
cyclonic storm. All of us flocked the Marina. I do not remember the year
correctly. May be 1977. If you sieve your archives, you would make an
interesting story.
What! The VDR has not yet been removed? That is the first thing to be
done in any accident investigation.
Thanks to the incompetence of all those involved in investigating the
Enrica Lexie case, vital evidence was lost. When will we learn?
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