PANJIM: Had not the vessel Nu-Shi Nalini broken anchor and got grounded off Dona Paula, its cargo of naphtha would have been transported from Mormugal Port Trust (MPT) to the next destination by trucks, risking the lives of lakhs of Goans.
This is what the vessel owners wanted, and MPT had not opposed it at a meeting held on July 15, 2019, at 9.30 am in the cabin of the Deputy Conservator, MPT with representatives of MT Nu-Shi Nalini.
As per the minutes of the meeting which have been accessed by Herald, present and representing MPT were Deputy Conservator (DC) Captain Manoj Joshi, and Harbour Master (HM) Captain Arun Kumar, while from Nu-Shi Nalini was Captain Suraj Deshpande, Rahul Bharud, P Ramesh, Akshay Shivaskar and Nilesh Navelkar.
At the onset of meeting, the Deputy Conservator informed that the Harbour Master will look after the operation side only, which includes the vessel’s shifting, related movement and not the sludge operations.
He clearly stated that the port has no responsibility whatsoever with regard to completing the discharge of waste contaminated naphtha oil. “It is reiterated that all the necessary permissions and formalities to be cleared by the owners. DC suggested to follow due procedures and get clear directions from court, owner if wishes, approach the court and inform about the vessel and the difficulties faced. In case of any risk, the vessel will be sent out at outer anchorage,” the minutes of the meeting state.
Further, it was informed that the ship can be brought only after completing all necessary formalities. “The discharge operation will be started only after obtaining all the required permissions and submission of documents,” the DC said as per the minutes.
Shockingly, when the Harbour Master sought to know how the cargo will be transported, the vessel owners said, “The cargo will be taken by trucks.”
To this, the MPT Harbour Master suggested that extra precaution be taken as per laid down guidelines for transportation and nitrogen cylinders be used for inerting the tanks.
“Owners stated that similar operation was carried out in January off Cochin, and it was successful and incident free, as all precautions were taken and was done in absolute professionalism,” the minutes state.
Besides this, the meeting discussed the anchorage of Nu-Shi Nalini at MPT and no further thought was given on the dangerous naphtha. “As far as safety and security for discharge of waste contaminated naphtha oil is concerned, persons need to be kept standby in case of any emergency. OSR equipment will be available all the time. OSR equipment will be in active mode till discharge of waste contaminated naphtha oil,” the minutes state.
They add that Goa State Pollution Control Board would be informed about the safety measures taken regarding discharge of waste contaminated naphtha oil.
For safety of the vessel, the Deputy Conservator stated that the forward tug will have to be in the channel it is to be ensured that the vessel does not entangle with the buoys. Once the vessel is inside the breakwater berth, a big tug will be made fast aft to stop the vessel.
“All the three MPT tugs to be kept ready. It is to be ensured that there is enough manpower on board vessel to handle ropes. Everyone should be using life jackets. All persons boarding be briefed about the ship and to be alerted about the risk involved. No one to enter in any compartment. In case of emergency only anchor will be dropped. Person, who can handle the anchor, needs to be on board. Another to be dropped only if instructions are received from Harbour Master,” the minutes say.
The Deputy Conservator stated that once the vessel is alongside, security has to be kept round-the-clock and one tug to be kept on standby. With regard to the size of the tug, as per recommendations two tugs of minimum 35 BP are required. However, a combined power of 70 BP is accepted and the tug is preferred which may be used in case of worst case scenario, of pulling the ship out from the berth to the sea.
Instead of deliberating on safety of vessel and the people of the State, besides port employees, the Deputy Conservator requested the owners to deposit an advance amount of Rs 38 lakh on July 15, 2019 for seven days. “Always pay in advance to the port as agreed,” minutes say.
Repeated efforts were made to contact MPT chairman Dr E Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Conservator Manoj Joshi and MPT PRO Marcelino Fernandes to get more information about the meeting, but all efforts went in vain as they did not answer their phones.
