Stranded ship near Mumbai: who would pay for salvage?

MUMBAI: A day after oil tanker M T Pavit ran aground at the Juhu Beach here unnoticed in an apparent security lapse, efforts to salvage it are yet to take off.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said the actual salvaging would take not more than five minutes, considering the size of the vessel, but there were "other issues" such as who would foot the bill.

The city police have filed a case against the owner for "endangering life or personal safety".

The Directorate General of Shipping, which acts as a coordinator in salvaging operations, said it was trying to launch the operation "as soon as possible".

The decision would be taken keeping in mind the prevailing sea and weather conditions and on assessment of various salvage options, a statement issued here said.

DG Shipping, S B Agnihotri, said the owner of the vessel was expected to submit a detailed salvaging plan by tomorrow, including details on funding the operation.

"It is the ship owner who pays for such operations. We have a salvaging ship close-by, if that vessel's services are used, the hiring cost will have to be borne by the owner," he told PTI.

Owners of the vessel are reported to be M/s Pavit Shipping Lines, Dubai, and Managers are M/s Prime Tankers LLC, Dubai, the DGS statement said.

The DGS further said the professional salvors had been asked to board the vessel immediately for preliminary assessment before the operation started, and to look for facilities that may exist on the ship.