The sinking of the MV Rak off Mumbai, India

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{{#badges: CoalSwarm|Navbar-Coaltransportaccidents}}On August 4 2011 the Panamanian-registered MV Rak, which was carrying 60,000 tonnes of Indonesian coal, sank approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Mumbai.[1]

Background

It was reported that the ship was owned and managed by a Qatar based company and carrying approximately 290 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of diesel oil. The ship's cargo originated from Lubuk Tutung in Indonesia and was to be delivered to to Dahej in Gujarat. The cargo belonged to Adani Enterprise Limited (AEL). A spokesman for Adani stated that the cargo was fully insured and that the accident would not affect the company's finances.[2]

The accident

The inspector general of the Coast Guard, Mr SPS Basra, stated that the suspected cause was leaks in the hull allowing water into the ship's holds.[1]

The ships crew of 30 was rescued by the Coast Guard.[2]

Oil slick

MV Rak.JPG

After the ship sank on August 4, an oil slick was reported as having been sighted on August 6 and spread near the coast. "Since last night, oil has been observed leaking from the sunken vessel Rak Carrier at an approximate rate of 1.5 to tonnes per hour. The oil has spread about 7 nautical miles around the vessel," a Defence press release said.[3]

The local fishing community was concerned about the possible impacts of an oil spill. “We suspect that the coal and the oil from the sunken ship will reach shores within a couple of days,” said Damodar Tandel, president of Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti.[4]

While the Indian Coast Guard had two ships spraying the slick with dispersants, the slick came in close to the coast. "It is quite close to the shoreline and there is not much distance separating the oil from the beaches and mangroves. Since this is the breeding season, this is the most vulnerable time of the year," said Debi Goenka, an environmentalist.[5]

Several days after the oil slick was first noticed, the Coast Guard estimated that due to winds and heavier seas the volume of oil leaking into the sea had increased to between eight and ten tonnes a day. A Director General of Shipping official stated that “expert divers would identify the source of leak and plug the leaks to decrease the flow of crude oil into the ocean if possible."[6]

Charges

After the sinking the owner, captain and the chief engineer of ship were arrested and charged with "endangering life or personal safety of others", the Deputy Police Commissioner (Port Zone) Tanaji Ghadge said.[7]

The captain, Arkan Abdul Khalil Yunus (36), a Jordanian, and chief engineer Ioneseu Ion (54), a Romanian, were later released on bail. After oil began to leak from the sunken vessel, they were also charged with offences under environmental legislation. "As the Rak started spilling oil, causing water pollution and environmental problems, today, we added relevant sections of Environment (Protection) Act and Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act as well against them," said Bharat Bhoite, Inspector at Yellow Gate police station.[8]

Articles and resources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ship carrying 60,000 tons of coal sinks off Mumbai", Asia One News, August 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ashwin Walunjkar, "Cargo Ship MV Rak Carrier carrying coal for Enterprise Limited sinks near Mumbai", Economic Times, August 4, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Oil leak in sunken carrier MV Rak: Officials", Indian Express, August 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Captain, chief engineer of MV Rak held, out on bail", DNA, August 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Oil spill from MV Rak spreads beyond Mumbai", NDTV, August 9, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Spillage from MV Rak increases to 8-10 metric tonne per day", Tahelka, August 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Captain, chief engineer of MV Rak released on bail", NDTV, August 6, 2011.
  8. ↑ "MV Rak crew booked under environment protection act", Indian Express, August 9, 2011.

Related SourceWatch articles

External resources

RAK Carrier: Final Report"], Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, April 2013.

External articles

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