DHNS

Mangalore, Jul 1: All possible steps are being taken to ensure that no pollution occurs while removing the fuel from M V Denden, the Eritrian ship that sank near Thannnirbavi beach here on June 23.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, all available equipment and chemical dispersants required to prevent oil pollution are stationed near the beach by the Port to tackle the situation in case of any eventuality.

 Also, the position is being closely monitored by the State Pollution Control Board.  According to a release, the owners of the ship Eritrian Shipping Lines have entrusted the responsibility to remove the oil at the earliest to Salvage Companies Switzer Wijsmuller of Netherlands and Samson India.

 They will be arriving shortly with their equipments to remove the oil on priority basis. The representatives of the owners as well as the insurers will be assisting in salvaging of the sunken ship and repatriation of the crew after completing all formalities.

Measures to remove the fuel as well as the ship has been discussed in the two meeting convened at the Port on June 27 and 28, wherein representatives of the owners, insurers, the Coast Guard and Mercantile Marine department took part, the release informed.  Meanwhile all the seven sailors who were being treated in private hospitals in Mangalore have been discharged.

Recent, related headlines:

• Sunken Ship Captain, Sailors Recall Tragic 'Shatter-day' 
• Mangalore: Oil Slick Fears Loom Large as Ship's Wreckage is Washed Ashore
• Mangalore: Was it 'Shani' who Ruled 'Shatter'-day, June 23, 2007 ?
• Mangalore: One Person Still Missing from Sunken 'DenDen' Ship
• Mangalore: Crew from Sunken 'Den Den' Ship Safe - To Be Rescued Soon