Rak should be sonar-mapped: ONGC

After the third consecutive attempt to identify the source of leakage from MV Rak failed on Sunday,Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd has asked for a sonar mapping of the sunken vessel.

Written by Express News Service
Mumbai | August 15, 2011 01:16 AM IST

2 min read

After the third consecutive attempt to identify the source of leakage from MV Rak failed on Sunday,Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has asked for a sonar mapping of the sunken vessel. The diving operation stands suspended till then.

We need more information about the ship to carry out this operation. Although we had worked out rough coordinates for the divers,that didn’t bring much success as it is a large ship and there were visibility issues. A sonar mapping will give the profile of the ship and a more accurate idea to the diver, said AK Jain,executive director,chief,offshore logistics,ONGC. This requirement was conveyed by ONGC to the salvage company as well as the insurance company which then apprised the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping. ONGC has also forwarded a parallel agency’s proposal to the insurance company for conducting the mapping. However,the DG may ask the Navy to conduct the operation,said a source. According to a press release issued by DG Shipping,the operation was called off on Sunday due to adverse sea conditions and poor visibility. The press release added that the operation would take off when the weather conditions improve.