Three ICG vessels deployed to detect oil spill areas in Arabian Sea
Kochi, May 26 (UNI) Three Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessels have been deployed to detect oil spill areas after the sinking of the Liberian container vessel, which capsized and subsequently sank in the Arabian Sea en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi Port.
The ICG vessels, Vikram, Saksham and Samarth were deployed in the area in Pollution Response configuration.
These vessels utilised IR cameras to detect the oil spill area and utilised OSD (Oil Spill Desperant) to contain the spread of oil.
An ICG Dornier aircraft equipped with specialised gear has been positioned in Kochi to undertake an aerial assessment of the oil spill situation.
Additionally, a dedicated Pollution Control vessel 'Samudra Prahari' is being mobilised from Mumbai to further augment oil spill response efforts.
ICG officials at DHQ-4 are maintaining constant communication with other Government officials in an advisory capacity for any shoreline cleanup operation.
Earlier, a public advisory has been issued directing people not to approach or interact with any floating or beached containers or debris, as they may contain dangerous substances.
A total of 643 containers were on board, of which 73 were empty and 13 were carrying hazardous goods, including Calcium Carbide; a chemical that reacts violently with water to release highly flammable acetylene gas.
On May 24 at around 13:25 hrs, the container ship MSC ELSA 3 capsized and subsequently sank in the Arabian Sea en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi Port.
All goods on board were non-duty paid at the time of the incident, and any unauthorized removal or pilferage of such goods is illegal, according to the advisory issued by the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone.
Customs Marine and Preventive units have been deployed along the Kerala coast, and surveillance is ongoing in coordination with other agencies.
Instead, anyone sighting such material is requested to immediately inform Customs Authorities at the below given numbers. Public cooperation is vital to ensuring safety and assisting ongoing recovery efforts, it said.
Contact numbers: Custom House, Kochi Control Room: 0484-2666422, Customs (Preventive) Control Room, Kochi: 0484-4569400, and Customs Preventive Unit, Alleppey: 0477-2991132.
UNI DS BD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
13 hours ago
- United News of India
Millions in Vietnam pay emotional respect to sacred Buddha relics that travelled from India
Hanoi/New Delhi, June 2 (UNI) Over seventeen million devotees in Vietnam paid respects and prayed to the Buddhist Holy Relics that travelled from India, in an expression of the close and friendly ties between the two nations. The sacred tour, spanning multiple revered locations from the south to the north of Vietnam, drew more than 17.8 million devotees in total, uniting Buddhists and spiritual seekers in a profound display of reverence and cultural solidarity, a statement said. The veneration not only affirmed Vietnam's deep-rooted Buddhist heritage but also became a vibrant expression of national unity and peace. Ceremonies included relic processions, meditative gatherings, chanting, and educational sessions, fostering spiritual mindfulness among attendees of all ages. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post: 'Celebrating the age old cultural & spiritual connection between India & Vietnam. "14 million devotees paid respects to and prayed at the Buddhist Holy Relics. Travelling from India, the exhibition of these Relics are an expression of our close and friendly ties over centuries." The Mahabodhi Society of India in posts on X said the sacred Buddha relic was being flown back to India from Vietnam by a special Indian Air Force flight, after a month-long public veneration. 'Devotees grew emotional as the relic departed Quan Thế m Pagoda in Đà Nẵng for the airport, marking end of a meaningful journey.' Earlier, hundreds of devotees had the rare opportunity to glimpse the sacred Buddha relic at Quan Thế m Pagoda in Đà Nẵng. Earlier, the sacred Buddha relic was ceremoniously carried from Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Zen Monastery in Quảng Ninh to Bell Pagoda in Hưng Yên Province, Vietnam, for public display. Devotees had the rare opportunity to glimpse the revered relic and pay their respects. On May 13, the Holy Sarnath Relics of the Buddha entered the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, and around five lakh people gathered on the streets to welcome the sacred relics. 'Emotions were high with many weeping and praying while others chanted aloud.' UNI RN
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- The Hindu
36 coastal villages in Kanniyakumari affected by plastic pellets was ashore; clean-up drive underway
In Kanniyakumri district, a total of 36 coastal villages have so far reported the washing ashore of plastic pellets (nurdles) from the Liberian vessel that sank off the Kochi coast on May 24. Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena told reporters on Monday that out of 42 coastal villages, 36 among them stretching from Neerodi to Keezha Manakudi villages had reported to be affected with nurdles and other materials such as wooden logs and cashew nuts. The collector noted, 'The district administration had earlier conducted a meeting with representatives from around 15 fishing hamlets at Thengapattinam harbour to explain about the do's and don'ts related to the handling of debris.' She added that the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had provided a Standard Operating Procedure for managing the situation, which includes surveys using drones, engaging individuals above 18 years for cleaning the nurdles using gloves, spade and other safety equipment. The collected nurdles were currently being safely stored at respective block and municipality offices. The collector further mentioned that arrangements were underway to transport the nurdles to nearby harbours located in Thengapattinam, Colachel and Chinna Muttam, depending on the proximity of the reported area. As this is an ongoing process, she emphasised that documentation plays a crucial role. Officials from fisheries, revenue, pollution control board and other related departments are involved in the operation. The collected nurdles would be handed over to the Customs Department, said Ms. Alagumeena.
United News of India
2 days ago
- United News of India
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann takes over as Sr Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command
New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Air Command, Indian Air Force on Sunday. An alumni of the National Defence Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 16 December 1989. He has flown over 3000 hours primarily on various types of fighter aircraft, a Defence Ministry statement said. He is a pilot Attack Instructor and in his operational career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base. He has also held various important appointments at Air Headquarters and Command Headquarters. The Air Officer has directed Joint Military Training exercises with Republic of Singapore Air Force in 2017 and the USAF in 2018. The Air Officer tenanted the appointments of Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration and Air Defence Commander of Central Air Command. The Air Marshal is also an alumni of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College and Royal College of Defence Studies, London (UK). Prior to taking over as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, Indian Air Force, he was Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer is a recipient of Presidential awards 'Ati Vishist Seva Medal' and 'Vayu Sena Medal'. UNI RBE ARN
