TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
DABOLIM: Indian Coast Guard conducted ‘Samudra Manthan-2013’, a local level response exercise, off Mormugao Port on Tuesday.
A mock drill on how to contain oil spill in the deep sea was demonstrated 15 nautical miles off Goa coast. The drill was conducted with an aim to evaluate pollution response capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard and resource agencies and agencies equipments, communication procedures and effectiveness of the training.
High speed churning, Oil Spill Dispersant (OSD) spray, containment booming, containment and recovery OPS, skimming were the various drills conducted. Samrat Advanced Patrolling Vessel (AOPV SMT) with pollution response, Cheetak-01 (chopper), C-133 (Coast Patrol Vessel) and a thug were used in the drill.
The drill basically showed how the oil spill is prevented from spreading with the help of the booms and then with the help of the skimmers the oil is separated from the water and the remaining oil is sprayed with the OSD which clogs the oil together and sinks it to the sea bed and degrades gradually.
Speaking to Herald, Manoj Baadkar, Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard, Goa region, said: “This is the regional level exercise and graded two by the IMO.”
“This exercise is conducted to check marine pollution and train its stakeholders involved in marine pollution like MPT, Captain of Ports, GSPCB, Zuari and all other stakeholders connected to us,” added Bhaadkar.
This is the first drill held in Goa and the national drill will be conducted in December this year off Mumbai Coast.
