India: Oil Spill at Mumbai Port Trust contained by Coast Guard
2nd June 2012
Averting what is claimed as a potential major environmental disaster, the Indian Coast Guard has contained an oil spill at the Mumbai Port
The Coast Guard were called following the sinking of inland vessel 'Al Husaini' , berthed in the basin since April 8.
A press statement issued by the Coast Guard said. "The Pollution Response Team (West) of the Coast Guard swung into action and commenced containment operations. Around 100 metres of oil containment boom was prepared and lowered to contain spillage of thick furnace oil. The boom prevented any spill to cross into the Arabian Sea," it said.
"Oil mopping operations have commenced simultaneously to recover the spilled oil so as to completely absolve the area from oil pollution", the statement reads, adding about six to seven tons of oily water mixture has already been recovered. A Coast Guard team continues to monitor the situation with equipment and manpower stationed at the spill site. The operations undertaken by the Coast Guard averted a major environmental disaster, it states.