On the other hand, for the last few days rumours are floating on a regular basis that oil from Platinum-II is spilling in to the sea, which could prove harmful to for the aquatic life.
A Union ministry of forest and environment team faced severe hurdles while conducting its study on the US vessel, Platinum II, anchored 40 nautical miles off Gopnath port, awaiting dismantling orders. According to high level sources deployed in investigating team, insufficiently experienced Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) officials have denied handing over various 'doubtful' documents in respect of controversial vessel to the visiting team.
Sources said that the team leader ACR Das and industrial advisor in the steel ministry had asked GMB to submit vital documents including last port of departure of the US luxury liner "Platinum-II", but the officials denied and also for this they have exchanged heated words.
On the other hand, for the last few days rumours are floating on a regular basis that oil from Platinum-II is spilling in to the sea, which could prove harmful to for the aquatic life. However, both GMB and GPCB denied any information regarding any spillage.
As per routine practice, ships that come to Alang for demolition are required to submit a sea worthy and port worthy certificate before they are allowed anchorage. In this case, if Platinum II is 'damaged', as stated, the investigating officials must question as to why the ship was given permission of anchorage despite being "not seaworthy or port worthy".
Meanwhile several Delhi-based environmental groups are raising the din asking for CBI investigation into the matter. The green activists demand that authorities should ask the ship to produce No Objection Certificate from US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA).
They also say that authorities must probe as to why the ship was sold through a Liberai-based third party. The dummy entity is called Platinum Investment Services Corporation, a Monorovia-based company (which was created as a seller by Anil Sharma, the last owner of Global Marketing Systems of the ship as recorded by the USEPA) sold the ship to Komalkant Sharma, owner of Leela Ship Recyclers Pvt Ltd, Plot No.2 ship breaking yard at Alang, who is the brother of Anil Sharma.
According to a Supreme Court order Platinum II falls under special category as being a warship Table 2.1 (US Navy Flagship). The Supreme Court's Committee of Technical
Experts report states: "The assessment of hazardous wastes and materials containing hazardous substances for ships of "special concern" should therefore not only identify types of hazardous wastes and materials containing hazardous substances, but also make a fair judgement of the quantities such as ACMs, asbestos dust and fibre, PCB containing materials etc, to be handled before anchoring permission can be granted."
As per the Apex Court order, anchoring procedures for recycling ships require documents to be submitted for review by SMB in consultation with SPCB and Customs Department upon arrival.
Activists question whether quantification of hazardous waste as per 3.1 (h) has been done for this ship, whether the owner had submitted the documents well in advance, or was it simultaneously submitted when the vessel reached the Bhavnagar anchorage, and whether GMB and other concerned agencies verified the records.
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