According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was shifted temporarily to the inner anchorage at Porbandar on Saturday morning to make way for an inbound vessel
The Indian Coast Guard and other agencies sprung into action after a ship, carrying 2.3 lakh litre diesel, ran aground near Porbandar. Authorities, however, said there was no threat of oil spill, and that they have begun removing the fuel.
According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was shifted temporarily to the inner anchorage at Porbandar on Saturday morning to make way for an inbound vessel. The vessel had reportedly drifted aground at 8.30 am on Monday after its anchor cable parted, and ran aground about 400 metre away from the old lighthouse outside Porbandar harbour.
"The vessel did not pose any threat to navigational safety, but potent threat of oil pollution loomed over the Gujarat coast as it was carrying about 230 KL high speed diesel on-board," Coast Guard said in a release.
The agency said that it mobilised its personnel and resources on receiving information about the potential threat. A pre-assessment helicopter sortie was conducted in the morning, and arrangements to remove the fuel were being undertaken by winching down Coast Guard personnel and equipment.
"There is no immediate threat, but in order to ensure safety of the coast and marine ecosystem, defueling of diesel from the ship to shore has commenced," Coast Guard said in a release, adding that it would take approximately 36 to 48 hours.
"The prompt actions have averted marine pollution threat in the area as there are no signs of spillage in the immediate vicinity," the agency said.
The Coast Guard said it is also in the process of establishing a Pollution Response Team based at Vadinar to respond to any eventualities.
Incidentally, the vessel, MV Hennry, was intercepted and was caught smuggling 1,500 kg heroin worth Rs 3,500 crore, in a joint operation by the Coast Guard and the Narcotics Control Bureau in July last year. This was touted as the single largest drug haul in the country and over a dozen people were arrested. After due judicial processes, the vessel was auctioned to Porbandar's Khodiyar Trading.
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