State asks OSDMA, pollution board to prevent oil spillage

The Orissa government today asked the Orissa Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to take steps to prevent any possible oil spillage by the sinking of the Mangolian ship, M V Black Rose, in the port limit of Paradip port.

The state government swung into action after receipt of a letter from the Commandant (plan officer of headquarters) of Indian Coast Guard posted in Orissa apprehending spillage of oil into the sea water causing hazardous pollution and endangering the lives of marine/aquatic animals.

The ill fated ship with 924.4 tonne of heavy oil and 48 tonne of diesel sank within 4 nautical miles off Paradip port.

The government also requested the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to take immediate action to safeguard the marine water and aquatic animals under the Water Act, sources said. On the other hand, instructions have been issued to coast guard and Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities for initiating precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, OSPCB has started the initiative to pump the oil of the ill fated ship onto the land by drilling the tank. This is expected to prevent the sea water from getting contaminated by the oil spillage. The Mongolian ship transporting iron ore to China sank off Paradip port killing one of the 27 crew members on Wednesday.

Alexander Liosiko, the Chief Engineer of the ship drowned as he tried till the last to save the vessel from going down in the Bay of Bengal while the others were rescued. Captain Servey Kamarov and 25 other crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard while they were floating in the sea wearing life jackets. The ship had come to Paradip in August but got permission for loading only on last Wednesday.