A team from Rotterdam-based salvage firm Smit on Friday began operations to stabilise MSC Chitra that collided with a bulk carrier off Mumbai on August 7. The Directorate General of Shipping said, in a release, that the team had begun adding ballast water in one of the ship?s tanks and was expected to finish the operation in two-three days.
The team has deployed seven tugs for towing floating containers and two crane barges to lift them from water, besides 10 squads for diving and rigging operations. In addition, a cargo barge has been deployed for delivery of containers to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).
Also, the latest sampling for presence of gas on board MSC Chitra revealed its deck area is safe. The administration has mobilised two decontamination experts to check the hold area in view of probable presence of phosphine. Further, a 72-sq km area has been surveyed, but no containers have been located.
The cleanup work in four high-priority spots ? Elephanta Island, Colaba Navy Nagar, Nhava Island and Awas Beach ? has begun. Another five medium priority areas have been identified.
The Navy on Friday escorted 11 vessels out of Mumbai Port Trust and seven vessels out of JNPT besides piloting in eight vessels each to the two ports.