Salvage operation on the slanting ship yet to begin

MANGALORE: Authorities were yet to launch salvage operations on the technical snag-hit Chinese cargo vessel that remained over the sea about seven nautical miles away from here even after 24 hours of the incident.

"We are waiting for the shipping company officials of the vessel "Chaange le men" to arrive, inspect and take decision on future course of action", CISF Deputy Commandant S S Mishra told PTI here.

The officials of the shipping company were expected to be here today, sources said.

The ship, loaded with 16,100 tons of iron ore and 28 crew membes onboard, began to tilt hours after leaving the New Mangalore Port yesterday.

Port authorities said they cannot decide on the operations unless there was a request from the vessel captain.

Meanwhile, a helicopter, requistioned by the port, had an aerial survey of the vessel yesterday and returned to Goa.

The district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner Maheshwar Rao said the situation is being constantly monitored and added "we are ready to render any assistance".