Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, chaired a special National Crisis Committee meeting, today, at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre, in Port Louis, with regards to aground vessel FV Sea Master at Albatross Island at St Brandon.
Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change; Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management; National Coast Guard; Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service; Raphael Fishing; the MMS; and Fisheries Department, were present.
Discussions focused on weather forecast for St Brandon, details and status of the vessel FV Sea Master, and actions already taken and to be initiated by the various stakeholders.
According to a representative from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, the Director of Hassen Taher Seafood Ltd has already been requested to submit a Contingency Plan as per section 30 (3) of the Environment Protection Act 2002 at latest by noon on 05 June 2021.
For his part, the Director of Shipping has sent a Wreck Removal Notice on 04 June 2021 to the owner of FV Sea Master in accordance with section 140 of the Merchant Shipping Act (2007).
During the meeting, a representative from the MMS informed that the sea state would be rough adding that the situation will prevail for the next days, However, operations can be carried out between Saturday afternoon and Sunday to carry out the operations.
The representative from the Fisheries department stated that several actions will be taken by the owner. The latter will be making arrangements for another vessel, Sea Grace, to reach St Brandon on Sunday to carry out pumping of oil from the wrecked vessel.
If the operations fail, the owner will make arrangements for Immersub to carry out pumping operations. Furthermore, the owner is making arrangements with SMITH Salvage Company for the wreck removal.
The Chairperson also instructed the National Coast Guard to participate in the pumping operations as an observer to ensure that all procedures and formalities are being adhered to.
He also instructed for an urgent meeting to be held with the owner of the vessel, Hassen Taher, to be led by the department of Fisheries, department of Shipping, Ministry of Environment, and the National Coast Guard so as to sort out all matters pertaining to the immediate removal of some 3.5 tons of gas oil presently found on the vessel. An agreement is to be reached and Hassen Taher Company is to be held liable for any mishaps.
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