India sends 30 tonnes of equipment to assist Mauritius in its ongoing Oil spill containment & operations

New Delhi, August 17: India dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF Aircraft to help Mauritius tackle oil spill on its south-east coast. This comes as to help the crisis-stricken nation amid ongoing ‘Environmental Emergency' under the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region.

 

 

The equipment being sent is specifically designed for use in oil spill containment and salvage operations. The equipment includes Ocean Booms, River Booms, Disc Skimmers, Heli Skimmers, Power packs, Inflators, Blowers, Salvage barge, and 10000 oil absorbent pads. The oil absorbent pads are manufactured by India using graphene, an allotrope of carbon, and have been supplied by Indian Oil Corporation.

 

 

Apart from this the assistance also included a 10-member Technical Response Team, consisting of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel who were specially trained for dealing with oil spill containment measures, has also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance at the site.

 

This assistance was sent on India Air Force's C17 Globemaster. The assistance comes in response to a request by the Mauritius government. This material will supplement that country’s efforts to contain the oil spill and salvage operations. The urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and India’s abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need.

 

The Japanese ship MV Wakashio struck a coral reef on July 25 and after days of pounding by rough waves, the tanker began leaking fuel into the water. By August 6, roughly 1,000 tonnes of fuel began to leak. he tanker was carrying more than 4,000 tonnes of heavy oil, lubricants, and diesel from China to Brazil. The Japanese tanker MV Wakashio ran aground at least three weeks ago and then split apart on Saturday, August 15 as the Mauritian authorities confirmed that poor sea conditions have made the removal of remaining fuel on the ship riskier.

 

Moreover, the Mauritius government has declared an environmental emergency on August 7 after a breach in the vessel and oil leakages were observed on August 6. After the government declared an environmental emergency, thousands of volunteers rushed to the shore to create makeshift oil barriers from tunnels of fabric stuffed with sugar cane leaves and even human hair, with empty soda bottles tucked in to keep them afloat.

 

Furthermore, as an immediate step, the Indian Oil (Mauritius) Limited (IOML) was also asked to extend all possible assistance to the GoM. On August 7, IOML moved its barge 'Tresta Star' towards the site to evacuate 1000 T fuel oil from the breached vessel Wakashio.

 

The Indian assistance follows recent support provided by India to Mauritius in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, including the supply of essential medicines, a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines as well as a medical assistance team sent as part of Mission ‘Sagar’.