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Over a week after the collision of two ships near the Kamarajar port in Ennore caused a massive oil spill, the Directorate General of Shipping dismissed allegations of delay in action by port authorities.
DG Shipping Malini Shankar, IG Coastguard Rajan Bargotra and port authorities addressed a press conference at the Port Trust on Monday. Authorities claimed that an enquiry has been launched into the collision between BW Maple and MT Dawn Kancheepuram and that the report will be ready in two months.
When asked about why there was a delay in informing the general public and media about the oil spill, Captain Jayakumar, Deputy Nautical Advisor claimed, "It was a traumatic situation and we needed to tackle bigger issues. Our first priority was safety."
So, what led to the collision in the first place?
A port authority, under the condition of anonymity, said that the pilot had in fact sent a message to the captain that he was on the path to collision, only to be ignored. He said:
Notices have been issued to the ships under Section 365(J) and 356(K) of the Merchant Shipping Act. The vessels have further been restrained from leaving the port without permission.
DG Shipping added that a 'claims desk' has been established to compensate fishermen. "We understand that the they are divided into societies. A representative from each can come file the losses they incurred. This will have to be supported by documentary proof," she said.
Authorities at the news briefing claimed that a total cargo of 26,806 metric tonnes of motor spirit and 6008 metric tonnes of high speed diesel which were safely discharged to shore tanks. "The amount of oil spilled into the sea can be confirmed only after an enquiry, " said Malini.
However, the DG did attempt to alleviate fears of marine life being affected due to the spill.
But neither the DG nor the port authorities or the naval adviser had an answer when questioned about the toxins in the oil. Close to 1,000 volunteers from Chennai and Ennore have been helping clear the black sludge that has collected on the city shores.
According to environmentalists, these volunteers have been exposed to toxic chemicals, including benzene, which is a carcinogen.
When The News Minute asked why these volunteers were allowed to be exposed to this toxic sludge, the DG deflected the question, claiming:
Asked about how much the marine life has been affected, Malini said, “We have been told by experts that turtles have not been affected by the oil so far. Moreover, experts said that if evidence of turtle deaths due to oil spill is found in the enquiry, the forest department can pull up the ship owners."
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