On
March 24, 1989, Exxon Valdez runs aground and 11,000,000 gallons of oil spilled
in Bligh reef of Gulf of Alaska. Responsible for what is regarded as one of the
worst oil spills in history, the Exxon Valdez is now known as MV Oriental
Nicety. Having changed hands at least four times in the last 25 years, the
merchant vessel now belongs to a Bhavnagar-based firm.
Attempts
by the ship owner to anchor the ship at the shipbreaking yard at Alang - were
stopped in the nick of time by the Supreme Court, “Inform this court as to
the steps being taken to prevent the ship berthing in any of the ports in India
without following the conditions indicated in the Basel Convention,†SC order dated
on May 3, 2012 said.
Nowhere
to go, the infamous ship, is now lurking 12 nautical miles away from Mumbai’s
coastline. It’s chequered past, leaving the coast guard uneasy, raising
concerns of another possible oil spill. The reason why the ship cannot being
forced out is that it is technically in international waters, which begin after
12 nautical miles from the coast.
However,
informed sources in the Coast Guard say that they are not comfortable with the
ships presence especially because the roughening sea conditions which may
impact the ships stability and cause a disaster.
TIMES
NOW efforts to get a response from the agency handling the ship off Mumbai -
went in vain. The enormity of the danger that the ship poses to the Mumbai
coastline, perhaps better understood with this circular issued by the DG
Shipping.
Analysis
of the accidents over the last 3 years showed a significant correlation between
age of vessels and the break-downs which caused these casualties, the committee
recommended, inter-alia, the revision of guidelines to restrict the age of vessels
plying in Indian waters, a circular dated on April 4, 2008, said.
Despite the repeated assurances by the ship owners and the certificates they
claim to hold, not many are buying the explanation. All agencies concerned with the maritime situation are aware and
have questioned the ships presence off Mumbai. However, none have acted yet.
Source: Times of India. 24 June 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment