Efforts to remove the wreck of a Japanese fuel tanker that ran aground on a coral reef off Mauritius have been delayed as bad weather hampers operations.
According to the Mauritius National Crisis Committee, the bad weather is expected over the next five days.
This will delay operations to tow away MV Wakashio to deeper waters.
The tanker, which was carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil when it ran aground near the Indian Ocean island on July 25, split int two on Saturday.
Plans to pump out oil from the ship were also called off on Sunday, with the chief salvage master indicating there was danger posed by leaking oil in the engine room.
“There is still approximately 30 cubic meters of mixed type of oil in the engine room. In view of the rough sea condition, the salvage company (SMIT), has informed that it cannot carry on with the pumping of the remaining oil,” the committee said in a statement.
The operation to remove the ship is likely to take months.
Mauritian authorities have drafted a response plan to cordon off Blue Bay Marine Park completely.
“Deflection booms have been placed to further protect Ile aux Aigrettes from any oil spill. Furthermore, two kilometers of booms have been placed along the shoreline of Pointe d’Esny. Additional booms are being placed this afternoon,” the committee indicated.
Mauritius declared an environmental state of emergency last week, but authorities have been accused of being slow to act.
India on Sunday sent 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material to Mauritius to help the country contain an oil spill on its pristine south-east coast.
A 10-member team of Indian coastguard personnel trained in oil spill containment measures has also been deployed to Mauritius to offer technical and operational assistance.
To date, around 841.4 metric tons of oil liquid waste, 419 metric tons of solid waste sludge and contaminated debris, and 416 cubic meters of saturated artisanal booms have been collected.
Authorities are carrying out sensitization of the local population about the cleaning of non-impacted beach.
