Latest news with #SEAMECIII
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck: Threat of oil spill into sea lingers as new seepage detected
Though the underwater salvage operation of the container ship MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the Alappuzha coast on May 25 began on Monday (June 9), the threat of an oil spill into the sea from the ship still lingers off the coast of Kerala. The shipping owner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had roped in the Singapore-based T&T Salvage for the underwater salvage operation. The team that mobilised diving support vessel SEAMEC III and divers to carry out an air-diving operation sealed a leak from the sounding pipe of fuel oil tank 22 successfully using layered capping comprising plastic and polyester cloth. Separately, a loose cap on another sounding pipe was tightened by divers, effectively stopping a minor leak. However, a new case of seepage has been detected from either main engine lube oil tank 25 or 26. Now, the divers are preparing to carry out the sealing procedures, said the latest situation report released by the government agencies. The detection of minor seepage from one of the main lube oil tanks underlines the importance of continuing the sustained dive operations. As dive time per diver is limited to about 30 minutes, the scaling-up of diving personnel is necessary to meet the operational timeline amid an increasingly narrow weather window, said the report. Further, the oil removal from Elsa 3 and underwater recovery can essentially begin only after this ongoing diving operation. Onshore, container salvage continues with 56 containers delivered to the port and four more under active recovery. A survey is scheduled to verify the status of two containers previously visible near the Kollam stretch. Meanwhile, the volunteers continued beach clean-up exercises across Thiruvananthapuram and Kannyakumari.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Underwater salvage operation of MSC Elsa 3 begins; cleanup, oil removal by July 3
KOCHI: The underwater salvage operation of the sunken container vessel MSC Elsa 3 commenced on Monday off the Kerala coast, with the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai, supervising the multi-agency effort. The operation aims to cap fuel oil tank openings and remove oil from the sunken Liberian-flagged ship by July 3, subject to weather conditions. The container ship, which sank 13 nautical miles off Kochi on May 25, has triggered a coordinated response involving offshore and onshore agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard, state authorities, and international salvage firms. The Diving Support Vessel SEAMEC III has been deployed to the site, equipped with decompression systems, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and diving gear. A 12-member dive team is conducting air diving operations to locate and cap openings of the fuel oil tanks to prevent further seepage. 'The second stage of the operation, which involves oil removal via hot tapping, is scheduled to be completed by July 3,' a statement by DGS, Mumbai, said. Offshore support vessels Nand Saarthi and Offshore Warrior, engaged by T&T Salvage Singapore, remain at sea dispersing light oil sheen. The Indian Coast Guard's pollution response vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari continues to monitor the area. The Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily has completed an initial multi-beam seabed survey, with data analysis currently under way.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Sunken vessel: Diving support vessel to commence underwater salvage
Kochi: The directorate general of shipping stated on Monday that a diving support vessel, SEAMEC III, would commence underwater salvage and diving operations in response to the sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel, MSC ELSA 3. The statement mentioned that the owners and salvors mobilised DSV SEAMEC III. Twelve divers were arranged to carry out air diving operations. Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and diving equipment, including decompression systems, were loaded onboard the ship to ensure it was fully operational and ready to undertake diving near the sunken vessel. In the first stage, the divers would identify the openings of fuel oil tanks and carry out capping to prevent any oil seepage from the vessel. According to the plan given by the salvors, the removal of oil from the fuel oil tanks by hot tapping would be done during the second stage, scheduled to complete by July 3, subject to weather conditions. The statement added that representatives of the P & I Club of the vessel and the ship owners met with the state govt and agreed to settle claims in accordance with the law. The statutory investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act, leading to the identification of the causal factor of the incident, was also being undertaken by the Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi, said the DGS statement. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Offshore support vessels Nand Saarthi and Offshore Warrior remained deployed (engaged by TT Salvage, Singapore) and continuously engaged in the removal and dispersal of light oil sheen noticed at the surface. The Indian Coast Guard pollution response vessel, ICGS Samudra Prahari, continued to remain deployed near the sunken vessel for monitoring the situation and dealing with any eventuality. The emergency towing vessel (ETV) Water Lily conducted a multibeam seabed survey since June 5 at the datum location. The initial phase of the survey was completed, and data was currently under analysis, with the report expected shortly. Container salvage efforts by Marine Emergency Response Services (MERC, Gujarat) along the shoreline saw continued progress. The MSC and the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club insurer of the vessel appointed the firm MERC for the removal of containers and other shoreline clean-up activities. To date, a total of 51 containers out of 61 washed ashore were successfully recovered and delivered to port, while the remaining 10 were currently under active salvage. These included several challenging and partially submerged containers being addressed by dedicated response teams in coordination with the local administration. It was emphasised that none of the 61 containers washed ashore contained any hazardous substances.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Underwater salvage operation of container ship that sank off Alappuzha coast begins: DGS
The underwater salvage operation of the container ship MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the Alappuzha coast on May 25 began on Monday, June 9, says the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The ship's owner firm Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had roped in the Singapore-based T&T Salvage for the task. The salvage team has mobilised diving support vessel SEAMEC III and 12 divers will carry out air-diving operation. A remotely operated vehicle and diving equipment, including decompression systems, have been loaded on the ship to ensure the vessel is ready to undertake diving near the sunken vessel. In the first stage, divers will identify the openings of fuel tanks and do capping to prevent oil seepage from the vessel. The removal of oil from the fuel tanks by hot tapping will be executed during the second stage, which is scheduled to be completed by July 3, subject to weather conditions, says a DGS release. The ongoing container salvage efforts by the Marine Emergency Response Services (MERC) along the shoreline have seen continued progress. The MSC and the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club, insurer of the vessel, had appointed MERC for removal of containers and for other shoreline clean-up activities. Till date, 51 of the 61 containers that fell off the ship and washed ashore have been recovered and delivered to port, while the remaining 10 containers are under 'active salvage'. Those under active salvage include partially submerged containers that are being addressed by dedicated response teams in coordination with the local administration concerned. None of the 61 containers that washed ashore had hazardous substances. The shoreline clean-up of the plastic nurdles that washed ashore along the Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari coasts is progressing steadily, in close coordination with MERC and the the district and State-level disaster management authorities concerned. On its part, the State government has issued a standard operating procedure to ensure the systematic deployment of trained volunteers from NGOs and civil defence, beginning June 8. The representatives of the vessel's P&I Club and the shipowners had a meeting with the State government stakeholders and agreed for settlement of claims in accordance with the law. No oil pollution While there have been no reports of oil pollution along the shoreline till date, the necessary response equipment have been put on standby as a precautionary measure. The DGS continues to monitor the situation through coordination meetings every day and remains committed to ensuring swift, safe, and environmentally responsible operations in collaboration with all stakeholders. The statutory investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act to identify the cause of the sinking is being undertaken by the Mercantile Marine department's Kochi unit. The Indian Coast Guard and State authorities too are engaged in onshore and offshore response.
