Cargo vessel MV Rak which sank off Mumbai three days ago is leaking oil and Coast Guard ships sprayed dispersants today to contain the oil spill which has spread to about seven nautical miles around the ship.
“Since last night, oil has been observed leaking from the sunken vessel Rak Carrier at an approximate rate of 1.5 to 2 tonnes per hour. The oil has spread about 7 nautical miles around the vessel,” a Defence press release said.
A Coastguard ship Samudra Prahari used oil dispersant to neutralise the spilled oil. The operation ‘Paryavaran Suraksha’ has been launched by Coast Guard. Another vessel ICGS Sankalp has also been pressed into service for augmenting the oil spill response, the release added.
The 740-foot vessel was estimated to be carrying 325 tonnes of fuel oil and 56 tonnes of diesel, the coast guard said.
Amid ecological concerns over the oil spill, the Maharashtra government denied reports that the oil leak from the vessel had reached the city beach and maintained there is no threat to Mumbai coast.