VASCO: Indian Coast Guard has deputed a 10-member specialist pollution response team along with Pollution Response equipment to Mauritius for supplementing ongoing efforts to contain an oil spill from bulk carrier MV Wakashio on its South Eastern coastline. This is a consequent to high level decision by the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence.
According to the India Coast Guard press statement, the assistance is in line with the Prime Minister of India vision “SAGAR” — Security and growth for all in the Region and also to the commitment for shared responsibility and cooperation in the Indian Ocean between India and Mauritius during his visit in March 2016.
Further, the specialist Indian Coast Guard team is qualified in pollution response operations at sea and are capable of undertaking pollution response and cleanup operations.
The various pollution response equipment such as Ocean and River Booms, skimmers, salvage barges was dispatched to combat oil spill. The Indian Coast Guard pollution response team in coordination with Mauritius, experts and teams from various other countries and specialised International experts from organisations like IMO and ITOPF will work in tandem to safeguard the pristine ecological sensitive environment and mitigate the effects of spilled oil at sea and ashore.
True to its motto ‘ Vayam Rakshamah’ meaning ‘We protect ‘, ICG collaborates with maritime countries in the Indian Ocean region and South Asia cooperative environment programme plays a key role in mitigating threat to sensitive ecosystems during oil spill incidents . ICG remains committed to ensure ” Safe, secure and Clean Seas “ not only around Indian Sub continent but also in the Indian Ocean region “mentioned in the press statement.
