Kavaratti, Aug 17: All the crew members of the cargo vessel, which ran aground a coral reef off Kavaratti in Lakshadweep two days ago, are safe and fuel oil is being pumped out of Nanda Aparajita to prevent any spillage, officials said.
“The ship has about 20 KL of fuel oil for its use and efforts are on to pump it ashore to prevent any spillage into the sea. There is no leakage so far and the fuel oil is being removed as a precautionary measure,” the director ports of Lakshadweep, Mr Syed Ismail, said.
The 12 crew members are safe, he said, adding there was some engine problem and bad weather compounded to the difficulties.
“The vessel is in safe place and there was no cause for any concern. When the weather improves, it will be towed to safer place,” Ismail said.
The vessel, belonging to a Mumbai-based company, was carrying construction materials like cement of the PWD department from Agatti to Kavaratti when it ran aground at around 7pm on August 15 near Kavaratti following bad weather conditions.