The director general of shipping (DGS) on Saturday said that a vessel of financially distressed company, Pratibha Shipping, is dragging anchor. Shipping Corporation of India has been requested to deploy an emergency towing vessel (ETV) to take care of any situation, including the possibility of the ship running aground at the Mumbai coast. The DGS did not specify the locations of the two ships or clarified how far they are from Mumbai coast.
In a statement, the DGS said, Pratibha Tapi, one of the two vessels, is dragging anchor at a “very slow rate,” while Pratibha Indrayani, the second one, is maintaining its position.
“The Directorate, being aware of these facts and circumstances, has issued advisories to the owners in advance to prevent any marine accident. This advisory prescribed engagement of suitable salvage tug by the owner to place both the ships in the nearest safe sheltered place or port immediately and issue necessary navigational warning to shipping etc.,” the statement said, adding that all the agencies, including the state government, have been requested to activate their respective contingency plan. Placing the ETV is as per the government’s plan with one each on both the coasts, it said, adding the second ETV will be located in Chennai.
The authorities want to avoid a repeat of the MV Wisdom incident two years ago, wherein the ship ran aground on the city coast in the monsoon while being taken to the scrap yard in Alang.
“...The owner, through regular review meetings, has been directed by the Directorate to remove the ships from the present position off Mumbai coast, either by sending the ships to the scrap yard or making these ships operational without any further delay. These two ships, as per the report of the owner, are under court arrest in the high court of Mumbai for the settlement of maritime claims,” the DGS said in the statement.