New Delhi: The Indian government has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an Indian Air Force aircraft to Mauritius to supplement the country’s ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations.
The specialized equipment, consisting of Ocean Booms, River Booms, Disc Skimmers, Heli Skimmers, Power packs, Blowers, Salvage barge and Oil absorbent Graphene pads and other accessories is specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water and assist in clean up and salvage operations, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement.
As confirmed by MEA minister S Jaishankar, a 10-member Technical Response Team, consisting of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel specially trained for dealing with oil spill containment measures has also been deployed to extend necessary technical and operational assistance at the site.
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The minister took to twitter and wrote, “Sagar Policy at work. To assist Mauritius in its ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations, an IAF aircraft has just landed in Port Louis with 30 T of specialized equipment along with a 10-member Technical Response Team from India Coast Guard”.
According to MEA, India’s assistance is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region, guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). The urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and India’s long-lasting commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need.
The Indian assistance follows recent support provided by India to Mauritius in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, including the supply of essential medicines, a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines as well as a medical assistance team sent as part of Mission ‘Sagar’.
The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius declared a "state of environmental emergency" on August 8 after a Japanese-owned ship that ran aground offshore began spilling tons of fuel.
Mauritius has said the ship was carrying nearly 4,000 tons of fuel and cracks have appeared in its hull.
Online ship trackers showed the Panama-flagged bulk carrier had been en route from China to Brazil.
Government statements this week said the ship ran aground July 25 and the National Coast Guard received no distress call.
The ship's owners were listed as the Japanese companies Okiyo Maritime Corporation and Nagashiki Shipping Co. Ltd.
(With inputs from agencies.)
