Working Conditions Aboard the Bw-Elm

In a contentious decision, the Directorate General of Shipping along with the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) in Chennai has granted a no-objection certificate for the 'BW Maple' to leave port. This approval follows the vessel's collision with the 'Dawn Kancheepuram' near the Ennore coast on January 28, which resulted in a significant oil spill. Despite the ongoing investigation into this maritime incident, insurers of the 'BW Maple' have expressed their willingness to submit a bank guarantee to facilitate the ship's departure from Kamarajar Port. On September 14, Captain Anish Joseph, Nautical Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General (Technical) of DG Shipping, communicated to the Principal Officer of MMD in Chennai affirming the Directorate’s approval for the 'BW Maple' to continue its journey. The following day, September 15, Ravikumar Moka, Ship Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General (Technical) of MMD, also validated this clearance, addressing Kamarajar Port and confirming that the department had no objections. Notifications of these approvals were circulated to key officials, including the chief secretary, Director of Fisheries, and customs authorities. Full report: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/sep/21/guilty-vessel-bw-maple-gets-nod-to-sail-far-away-1660418.html

In a significant development following the collision of two vessels off the Ennore coast, M.A. Bhaskarachar, Chairman of Kamarajar Port Ltd, revealed that the captain of m.v. MT BW Maple had been alerted about the potential for a collision with m.v. MT Dawn Kanchipuram. This incident occurred on January 28 and resulted in the release of several tonnes of oil along the Chennai shoreline. Mr. Bhaskarachar recounted that the pilot of the Maple, who was departing the port, had consulted with the vessel's captain prior to disembarking. “Once the Maple cleared the boundary of our breakwater, a system is in place where pilots communicate with the captain to determine if further assistance is necessary. The captain, having been a frequent visitor, assured that he was capable of navigating on his own,” he stated. However, the pilot, having observed the situation, subsequently warned via message that a collision was imminent, urging caution. At the time of the incident, the Dawn Kanchipuram was inbound and had a pilot aboard. An investigation is currently underway to assess the extent of the oil spill and the quantities present on the vessels at the time of the collision. Malini V. Shankar, the Director General of Shipping, addressed the press on Monday, stating that the Dawn Kanchipuram was loaded with 26,806 metric tonnes of motor spirit and 6,008 tonnes of high-speed diesel, all of which have been successfully transferred to shore tanks. “This vessel is massive with multiple tanks, each requiring thorough inspection for potential leaks. The oil must be carefully transferred between tanks to identify any that may be compromised. This meticulous procedure is ongoing and will span several days,” she explained. Ms. Shankar personally boarded the Dawn Kanchipuram to oversee the situation and direct recovery operations.

CHENNAI: In a recent revelation, State Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar attributed the unfortunate collision of two vessels off the coast of Chennai to 'human error.' The incident occurred on January 28 at 4 AM involving M T BW Maple, flagged under the Isle of Man, which had just discharged its load of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and M T Dawn Kanchipuram, carrying petroleum oil lubricant (POL), as it was en route to Kamarajar Port, formerly known as Ennore port. Minister Jayakumar assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to mitigate the oil spill, stating, "The oil slick from the damaged vessel has been fully contained." Both ships are currently under the management of Kamarajar Port Ltd. Addressing concerns from the community regarding the safety of consuming fish in the aftermath of the spill, Jayakumar emphasized that fishermen typically operate in deeper waters, making it safe to eat the fish caught from these regions. He stated, "I have often reiterated that fishers engage in deep sea fishing instead of shallow waters." Additionally, the minister cautioned against misinformation spreading on social media platforms like WhatsApp that discouraged fish consumption. He confirmed that rigorous testing is being conducted on the catch, with assistance from experts at Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, who have validated the safety of the fish supply.