Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SB)
Mangalore, Aug 11: A team of divers hired by the owners of M V Asian Forest to assess the status of the submerged cargo vessel have abandoned the diving operation and returned to Kochi.
The move has come as a jolt to the district administration, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Coast Guards and port authorities. MMD informed the director general of shipping in Mumbai the company had kept them unaware of the move. However, a local agent confirmed that the move was necessitated on the grounds of poor visibility and strong currents in the sea.
It may be recalled that the ship went down off Panambur coast on July 18. Meanwhile, Hong Kong vessel M V Tong Hai detained since July 18, as it was found that its Total Moistutre Limited level was higher than permissible limits, was permitted to leave NMP on Monday August 10 after final inspection.