Indian Coast Guard continuing fire fighting operation MT New Diamond

Deployed 06 ICG ships and 02 aircraft for fire fighting and handle pollution response in event of an oil slick

Indian Coast Guard is continuing fire fighting operation east of Sri Lanka on Motor Tanker New Diamond which is a Greek owned vessel and under charter by Indian Oil Cooperation. The operation started on 03 Sep 20, while the vessel transiting in Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone had a major explosion in engine room. The first information about the vessel being on fire was received at Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai.

Indian Coast Guard has deployed 06 ICG ships and 02 aircraft for fire fighting and to handle pollution response in event of an oil slick. ICG Ships Sujay, Shaurya and Sarang are on scene since 03 Sep 20 and are continuously engaged in fire fighting operation using  specialized external fire fighting system along with Sri Lanka ships/tugs taking the advice of Master of the vessel into consideration.

On 04 Sep 20, a specialist team comprising of ICG personnel and Master embarked MT New Diamond and connected tow with tug APL Winger. ICG and Srilankan Ships alongwith Tug APL Winger after consolidated efforts have towed MT New Diamond 35 NM away from nearest shore of east coast of Sri Lanka. Another Tug TTK-1 arranged by Salvors joined alongwith ICG ships, Tug Ravana & Tug Vasabha for continuing with fire-fighting operations.

ICG Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Ameya with 1000 ltrs OSD has arrived area at about 0650 h on 05 Sep 20 to augment pollution response efforts. Another FPV Abheek with 40 drums (200 kg each) foam AFFF, 10 units of DCP (50 Kg each) and 20 barrels (50 kg each) of DCP arrived PM todate 05 Sep 20. Owing to intense and continuous fire-fighting, the fire has been localised at Port Bridge Deck and Aft Ready Use tank area.

02 CG Dornier aircraft with Oil Spill Dispersants (OSD) and Pollution Response Spray pods arrived Hambantota at 2315 h on 04 Sep 20. CG Helicopter ex ICGS Sujay being launched regularly for aerial assessment. Aerial recce by Srilankan Airforce Beachcraft and spraying of water through Bambi Bucket by Srilankan Airforce MI-17 is in progress.

Emergency Towing Vessels ex-Mumbai and ex-Chennai have been sailed for augmenting Salvage and Fire Fighting efforts. No oil spill has been so far reported. Continuous liaison and co-ordination is being maintained with Sri Lankan Navy/Coast Guard and other authorities for augmentation and effective response.