Call for long-term monitoring system to tackle marine disasters
KOCHI: Two maritime disasters -- a shipwreck and a fire on board a vessel carrying dangerous goods -- within a span of three weeks have caused concern about maritime security and damage to marine ecosystem on Kerala coast. Apart from oil spill, release of toxic chemicals, pesticide contamination and chemical fire releasing toxic plumes have triggered a debate on the possible environmental, fisheries and navigational hazards caused by the incidents.
Scientists and maritime experts have demanded a mechanism to monitor the growing vessel traffic on Kerala coastline following the opening of Vizhinjam port and to ensure ships carrying dangerous goods do not pass close to the shoreline. 'The Indian Coast Guard is well equipped to tackle pollution caused by ships as they have been leading such operations in South Asia for years. They have got all facilities and equipment to remove the oil spill,' said K Sunil Muhammed, former principal scientist of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
'But we need to have a long-term monitoring system to tackle maritime accidents in Kerala's coastal sea. Kerala has many marine research institutes with lab facilities. We should establish a network to collect water samples and conduct periodic analysis to monitor marine pollution. We should conduct periodic sampling for the next two years to study the impact of chemical pollution. This is essential to raise evidence based claims for pollution. With the inauguration of Vizhinjam port, the vessel traffic on Kerala coast is expected to rise and we should have a state-level maritime disaster management authority, including experts to respond to such accidents in future,' he said.
Containers carrying hazardous cargo, including flammable liquids, industrial chemicals and pesticides, have fallen into the sea off Beypore coast following the fire on board MV Wan Hai 503 on June 9. The vessel also had around 2,000 tonnes of fuel and 240 tonnes of diesel in its bunkers. 'The discharge of marine diesel from sunken ship MSC Elsa 3 can form surface slicks blocking sunlight penetration.
This will suppress photosynthesis on phytoplankton, destabilising the marine food web. Oil exposure can impair fish respiration and smother benthic organisms. Hazardous chemicals like hydrobromic acid, paraformaldehyde and methyl methacrylate can alter seawater chemistry. Potassium nitrate can trigger harmful algal blooms depleting oxygen and creating dead zones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Fire aboard Singapore-flagged ship partially contained: DGS
According to a DGS report about the situation as of June 17, there is a noticeable reduction in visible flames and smoke intensity across most zones of the vessel -- MV Wan Hai 503 -- that caught fire after an explosion in one of the containers aboard.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Fire aboard Singapore-flagged ship partially contained: DGS
The blaze aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, which caught fire last week off the Kerala coast, is partially contained, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) said on Wednesday. According to a DGS report about the situation as of June 17, there is a noticeable reduction in visible flames and smoke intensity across most zones of the vessel -- MV Wan Hai 503 -- that caught fire after an explosion in one of the containers aboard. The vessel was heading to Colombo from Mumbai. The other positive developments were the vessel's reduced speed, its offshore trajectory and current position at around 68.5 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, the report said. At the same time, the persistent smoke from certain sections of the ship, its history of internal flare-ups which require sustained firefighting pressure, the adverse weather conditions and the absence of a second towline were matters of concern, it said. "Weather at the site remains adverse, with westerly winds between 2934 knots, gusting up to 39 knots, intermittent heavy rainfall, and periods of zero visibility, all of which are significantly impeding firefighting and boarding operations," the DGS said. Establishing a second towline was crucial, given the dynamic sea state and the structural stresses already endured by the vessel, it added. Presently, the ship remains connected via a single towline to a tugboat -- Offshore Warrior, it said. The DGS report further said that stability assessments of the vessel suggest it was operating within 90 per cent of acceptable seagoing conditions, but targeted hull strength evaluations, especially near high-heat zones, remain a priority. It also said that discussions are going on for a Port of Refuge, as a contingency, with Jebel Ali in Dubai under primary consideration, subject to complete fire suppression, structural integrity assessments, and regulatory permissions. "Alternatives in Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Qatar are also under review," it added. The report further said that identification of a body which reportedly washed ashore near the Kerala coast is currently under verification, with support from local authorities, as of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. "Efforts remain focused on fire suppression, structural safety, and safe relocation of the vessel out of Indian waters under controlled tow," it said.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Fire aboard Singapore-flagged ship partially contained: DGS
Kochi, The blaze aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, which caught fire last week off the Kerala coast, is partially contained, the Directorate General of Shipping said on Wednesday. According to a DGS report about the situation as of June 17, there is a noticeable reduction in visible flames and smoke intensity across most zones of the vessel MV Wan Hai 503 that caught fire after an explosion in one of the containers aboard. The vessel was heading to Colombo from Mumbai. The other positive developments were the vessel's reduced speed, its offshore trajectory and current position at around 68.5 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, the report said. At the same time, the persistent smoke from certain sections of the ship, its history of internal flare-ups which require sustained firefighting pressure, the adverse weather conditions and the absence of a second towline were matters of concern, it said. "Weather at the site remains adverse, with westerly winds between 29–34 knots, gusting up to 39 knots, intermittent heavy rainfall, and periods of zero visibility, all of which are significantly impeding firefighting and boarding operations," the DGS said. Establishing a second towline was crucial, given the dynamic sea state and the structural stresses already endured by the vessel, it added. Presently, the ship remains connected via a single towline to a tugboat Offshore Warrior, it said. The DGS report further said that stability assessments of the vessel suggest it was operating within 90 per cent of acceptable seagoing conditions, but targeted hull strength evaluations, especially near high-heat zones, remain a priority. It also said that discussions are going on for a Port of Refuge, as a contingency, with Jebel Ali in Dubai under primary consideration, subject to complete fire suppression, structural integrity assessments, and regulatory permissions. "Alternatives in Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Qatar are also under review," it added. The report further said that identification of a body which reportedly washed ashore near the Kerala coast is currently under verification, with support from local authorities, as of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. "Efforts remain focused on fire suppression, structural safety, and safe relocation of the vessel out of Indian waters under controlled tow," it said.
