Navy says flames on oil tanker reduced to certain extent

The fire onboard MT New Diamond which was re-ignited due to extreme temperature with flames has been reduced to a certain extent as of now, the Navy said in a statement today.

Ships, aircraft and tugs belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other stakeholders are continuing their disaster management operations to suppress the fire caused by adverse weather, onboard the MT New Diamond again, Navy said. 

Meanwhile, six salvage operation experts as well as 11 disaster management professionals directed to the island by the company that acts as the commercial and technical operator of MT New Diamond, have arrived at the sea area where the distressed ship is located to support disaster management operations. 

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Navy and other disaster managing teams, following the expert advice, are active in close coordination to contain the blaze that developed again.

At least nine ships, five tugs and aircraft belonging to the Navy and other disaster management mission-partners are making their all-out contribution in this disaster management operation which is taking place about 30 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point. 

Further, 02 ships of Sri Lanka Coast Guard and 03 Fast Attack Craft belong to Sri Lanka Navy are engaged in the mission throughout, for logistics support. Meanwhile, another Dornier aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard is expected to arrive in China Bay, Trincomalee from Chennai today with a consignment of Dry Chemical Powder.

“There is no risk of the fire spreading to the oil storage or leaking oil from the ship into the sea as of now.,” the statement said. 

However, today a research team from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and University of Ruhuna is scheduled to visit the site to inspect water samples, to find out if there is any damage to the marine environment due to this disaster which occurred on September 3.