TN oil spill: Coast guard says 'maximum oil' has been recovered

Days after the spillage of fuel furnace oil off the coast here, the Coast Guard Tuesday said maximum oil spilled has been "recovered."

Deployment of a specialised pollution control vessel 'Samudra Paheredar' proved critical during the operation, a coast guard (CG) release said.

Five other ships and a CG helicopter were deployed for the clean-up operation, it said.

"...maximum oil has been recovered, the remaining traces are being recovered/dispersed," the CG said.

Spillage of Fuel Furnace Oil occurred early Sunday when 'MT Coral Stars,' an oil tanker vessel was offloading it through a 'flexible hose' in Kamarajar port, at Ennore near

here.

"Spilled FFO becomes highly viscous chocolate coloured mousse owing to weathering," the CG said, adding that specialised equipment onboard 'Samudra Paheredar' proved

critical for recovering the thick oil mousse and preventing it from reaching the shores.

"Operations Centre of Coast Guard Region (East), Chennai maintained 24 x 7 communication with the State Pollution Control Board, Kamarajar Port and Shipping

authorities for the clean-up operation," the release said.

On Monday, the Coast Guard said it has issued notice to the master of the vessel to clean up the oil spill, failing which action would be taken as per law.

With a primary role in pollution response at sea, 'Samudra Paheredar' was commissioned in 2012 and is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated pollution response and control equipment for mitigating oil spills.