Rescue operations still continue on MV SSL Kolkata

Kolkata: The salvage operation in the fire-hit cargo ship: MV SSL Kolkata in the Sundarbans delta in the Bay of Bengal continued in a joint effort by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)and SMIT Salvage for the second day on Wednesday.

An ICG official said, “The smoke is very less now. The salvage operation is in progress. Our Coast Guard Ship has taken additional personnel who came from Netherlands of the salvage team from Haldia and its going to SSL Kolkata. The salvage team is carrying additional specialist equipment for salvage.”

Giving details of further plans the ICG official elaborated, “One tug from Kakinada is being called for supporting the salvage operations. No oil spill has been observed so far. The equipment details can only be provided by the salvage team and the owner of the ship.”

Sources indicated that the salvage operation is expected to continue this week entirely. Late on June 13 night the fire broke out at the container vessel around 55 nautical miles off the Sagar Island.

The ICG rescued 22 crew members during the devastating fire on board to the ship. Later an Indian Navy specialist team restricted the ship’s movement from heading towards Bangladesh. An Indian Air Force Mi17 V5 chopper doused the flames through a Bambi Bucket operation.