Chennai: After nearly 4 days and nights of steady firefighting by two Indian Coast Guard ships and Sri Lankan tugs, the blaze on Container Ship MV X-Press Pearl has significantly reduced.
It has been noticed that the vessel’s hull is unbroken (indicating structural stability) and that the draught/Draft stays uncharged (indicating that the vessel has not gone decrease owing to extend in weight). The aerial surveillance carried out on Friday by ICG Dornier plane doesn’t revel any oil spill.Â
Efforts of ICG vessels Vaibhav and Vajra, assisted by Sri Lankan tugs has restricted the flames to the rear portion of the ship, whereas white fumes are emanating from the mid portion. The emanation of white fumes from the mid-region presumably imply the shortage of accessible flamable materials. By stopping the hearth from re-spreading to the ahead portion of the ship, the anchor-chain hyperlink has been prevented from parting.Â
Amid the challenges posed by tough seas and sturdy winds, the ICG vessels are making a number of runs alongside the size of the affected ship for spraying water and foam at excessive speeds. It is essential to additionally keep enough distance owing to the risks posed by burning containers or mangled elements that my fall off the burning ship.Â
Besides, 1486 containers of chemical substances and different hazardous International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code(IMDG), the vessel comprises 322MT of gas. To increase the firefighting and take care of a potential oil spill, ICG Pollution response vessel Samudra Prahari is anticipated to achieve the situation on Saturday.
It was on twentieth May, Thursday {that a} hearth first broke out on the mentioned ship, following which it was introduced underneath management by Sri Lankan Port authorities by the subsequent day. However, on Tuesday morning(twenty fifth May),the hearth and explosions began recurring and owing to tough climate almost 10 containers are mentioned to have fallen overboard.Â
