Alarming increase in maritime disasters resulting in oil slicks are contaminating and gravely damaging the eco system and flora and fauna in and around Mumbai coastline
Alarming increase in maritime disasters resulting in oil slicks are contaminating and gravely damaging the eco system and flora and fauna in and around Mumbai coastline
In the second maritime disaster in less than a year, which is bound to further affect the already unstable marine ecology along the Mumbai coastline, warship Vindhyagiri ran aground inside naval dockyard after colliding with merchant vessel Nordlake on Sunday afternoon turning the seas black.
Warship Vindhyagiri ran aground inside naval dockyard after colliding with merchant vessel Nordlake on Sunday afternoon turning the seas black
Sunday afternoon's collision comes within a week of the undersea pipeline burst, which spilled 60 tonnes of crude into the waters off the Mumbai coast.
The seas around Mumbai have been seeing an alarming increase of maritime disasters including the collision involving M V Khalijia 3 and MSC Chitra on July 19 last year, resulting in spillage of more than 200 tonnes of diesel creating a slick along the coastline of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad district, which has also taken a deadly toll on the delicate flora and fauna in the region.
"It is a repeat of M V Khalijia 3 and MSC Chitra last year resulting in huge oil spillage endangering Mumbai harbour on July 19 last year," said a senior shipping executive.
Sources in naval dockyard said that Vindhyagiri began listing and went down inside the old dockyard also used for berthing, and several naval and coast guard vessels have been pressed into service to prevent the oil spreading to the open seas.
Naval spokesperson Captain M Nambiar denies that there has been an oil spill, but confirmed that the Vindhyagiri has 'touched bottom' (grounded) as she was listing to one side.
Blame game
Senior shipping executives say the use of two different Vessel Tracking Monitoring Systems over a 10 nautical mile stretch in Mumbai harbour is the main cause for the recent collisions.
Mumbai and Nhava Sheva Shipping Agency Association has requested the government on several occasions for a single harbour master for Mumbai harbour, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears so far, they allege.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (port zone) Quaiser Khalid told MiD DAY that naval authorities have accused the master of M V Nordlake of negligence and loss of property.
According to shipping sources, in most cases, the master of the vessels sailing from JNPT often fail to switch over to the VHF used by ships within Mumbai Port Trust limits, resulting in confusion and eventually collusion.
Eco Dangers
A single gallon of oil spilled into the ocean can create an oil slick up to a couple of acres in size. When oil starts mixing in water, its composition changes and becomes what is known as 'mousse'. This substance clings to anything it comes in contact with and many marine animals and fish try to consume it since it resembles food.
If flora and fauna ingest oil, it can poison the animal outright. Birds and other animals often ingest oil when preening, and shellfish and corals are particularly at high risk in these scenarios as they cannot escape from an oil slick. These toxins are then transmitted to humans or animals when they consume contaminated seafood.
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