INS Nireekshak in Mauritius joins the mission to search sunken tug Sir Gaetan Duval

Indian Navy Ship Nireekshak joined National Coast Guard of Mauritius in search of Mauritius Port Authority Tug Sir Gaetan Duval. According to a press release, diving team confirmed location of wreck on September 3 undertaking underwater filming which was shared with Mauritius authorities.

search continues

As per release, “ tug was towing a barge to convey equipment being used for pollution control from MV Wakashio oil spill, before rough wear caused a collision of tug with barge causing it to sink”. request for diving assistance was received by High Commission of India at Mauritius. It said, “ ship's specialised diving team conjoined rescue efforts with National Coast Guard. So far, no oil spill has been observed from sunken tug and salvage operations are underway." INS Nireekshak was conducting EEZ surveillance due to request from Government of Mauritius. However, he was diverted back after this. 

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According to reports by ANI, operations were carried out on September 3 and 4. operations used High Definition underwater cameras to identify location in 18 metres of depth. release said, “In dition to assessment of damage incurred by sunken tug, underwater videography and photography was also carried out by specialist divers and handed over to Mauritius authorities to facilitate furr investigation”. 

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India helps Mauritius 

Moreover, India has also sent an IAF plane with a 10-member Technical Response Team to help Mauritius in its ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations. National Crisis Committee of Mauritius, in a statement, said, "At around 4.30 pm, a major detachment of vessel's forward section was observed." India has also sent 30 tonnes of specialised equipment in an effort to help authorities and volunteers in Mauritius with salvage, clean-up and containment of oil spill. As per reports, equipment and team have alrey landed on island nation via an Indian Air Force aircraft.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a ‘state of environmental emergency’ as grounded Japanese vessel started to leak fuel into waters earlier this month. According to international media reports, Jugnauth called satellite images of oil spill ‘very sensitive’. Mauritius even appealed to France for help and said that spill ‘represents danger’ for country that heavily relies on tourism and has been hit hard by unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. ship was reported to have been carrying nearly 3,800 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil, 207 tonnes of diesel, and 90 tonnes of lube oil. 

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(Image Credits: ANI)