Bulk carrier ’Mirach’ grounded a off the coast of Southern India, just three miles off the port of Trivandrum.
Flooded holds
Personnel, salvage equipment and the 'Smit Nicobar' were mobilized, this is a rocky location and an inspection revealed that most holds and the forepeak were flooded, with the risk of bulkheads collapsing. The No. 5 hold and the engine room were however still dry.
The salvage team promptly set to work on the first priority: the recovery of pollutants, including heavy fuel oil whilst also working around the clock to stabilise the casualty. This task required the use of a hot-tap system, to penetrate and pump from submerged tanks. A salvage team and equipment were mobilised. In addition, the ‘Smit Nicobar' was mobilised from the Arabian Gulf. The main objective was to carry out the works before the Monsoon break.
A total of 32 tonnes were recovered. During this recovery operation the vessel finally broke her back and later sank completely leaving only the funnel above the sea level.
