MSC Chitra being stabilised: DGS

MUMBAI: The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on Friday said rescuers have boarded MSC Chitra, the ship which collided with another vessel off the Mumbai coast early this month, have began operations to stabilise it by adding ballast water into one of its tanks.

The task of adding the required amount of ballast water, which is taken in on-board to stabilise a vessel, will take another two-three days, it said.

On August 7, two foreign vessels carrying chemicals and other shipments collided off the Mumbai Port, causing extensive oil spill into the sea waters and the nearby mangroves.

The salvers have also deployed seven tugs for towing of the floating containers and two crane barges for lifting containers from the water. In addition, 10 diving and rigging teams are on the job. One cargo barge has also been deployed for delivery of containers to the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Port, a DGS statement here said.

After the government lifted the ban on fishing from August 16, no untoward incident has been reported, the statement said, adding in view of the passenger ferry services scheduled to begin from September 1 priority routes are being identified in consultation with Maharashtra Maritime Board.