IT Correspondent
Mumbai, July 21:
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has spotted an unmanned barge grounded along the Palshet coast off Guhagar beach near Jaigad harbour in Ratnagiri district of coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra
The non-self-propelled barge spotted on Tuesday, was not carrying any fuel. It was being towed by “Tug ASL Osprey” (an offshore supply ship) from Colombo to Djibouti with some heavy machinery onboard.
It was reported that due to the rough sea conditions, the tow parted and machinery fell off the barge due to which the barge turned upside down on July 08 at about 200 nautical miles from the Indian Coast.
A Coast Guard spotted the barge during helicopter surveillance when it was expected that would reach close to the spot where the JSW Jaigarh ports, Angre Port Private limited, and Sande Lavgan port are located. After drifting approximately 200 nautical miles in an easterly direction towards the Indian coast, the barge finally grounded at Guhagar beach on July 19.
The “Tug ASL Osprey” reported the likely sinking of the barge on July 10. However, considering the possibility of submergence, the Indian Coast Guard issued a navigational warning to all the mariners and kept a lookout for the submerged barge.
It was confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard that the vessel was not carrying any fuel and there was no danger of marine pollution in the area.
Indian Coast Guard had already alerted the State authorities of the situation. Now the Tug Marigold and Salvour belonging to M/s Brand Marine Consultant, Mumbai, a global marine consultancy, has been arranged by the owner of M/s Capitol Navigation PTE Ltd, Singapore. The tugs have been positioned near the location for salvage of the grounded barge, an ICG statement said.
However, the grounded barge created panic among local fishermen who suspected heavy oil spillage from it, which would contaminate the waters and will affect their fishing activities. But the Maharashtra Maritime Board officials dispelled the rumours.