Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SB)

Mangalore, Jul 30: Adverse weather conditions have delayed the works of salvaging Chinese vessel Asian Forest that sank on July 18 off Panambur coast. The works including removing oil stored in the vessel will begin as soon as favourable weather sets in, said in-charge deputy commissioner A Prabhakar Sharma. 

Speaking to media persons on Wednesday July 29 Sharma said that the owners of the vessel have given an assurance as above to director general of shipping, central government and soon the company will also submit an agreement letter in this regard. A meeting held in Mumbai on Monday July 27 to discuss on prevention of oil leakage from the ship, precautionary measures in place in this regard and also an operation to be undertaken to remove oil from the ship was chaired by director general of shipping, informed Sharma. 

Sharma further said that at the meeting the director general of shipping has directed deputy director of lighthouse and light vessels to station four lifebuoys to indicate the spot where the vessel went down the sea. The salvage operations of Denden vessel is also going on, he informed at the pressmeet.

Sharma speaking on the progress of investigations into sinking of the Asian Forest said that a team from nautical Surveyor led by Capt jaykumar will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the issue. The director general of shipping has ordered the team to hold investigation and submit the report at the earliest. The crew members are still in Mangalore and will be able to return only after preliminary investigation, he said.