MT Pavit tilts, may affect salvage operation says experts

MT Pavit, grounded near the Juhu beach, has tilted and shipping experts feel this could make the salvage operation difficult.

“The tanker has tilted because of heavy tidal movement,” an expert said. “Also, the sand below the ship is slipping because of the current. Salvaging the ship would become difficult with every passing day. Cranes might have to be used to straighten the ship before starting the salvage operation.”

The directorate general (DG) of shipping has informed the ship’s owners and insurers in Dubai.

The DG shipping would take the help of experts and start the operation if there is no response from the owners and the insurers.

At present, the DG shipping has hired and kept an emergency towing vessel, Smit Lumba, from Singapore-based salvage expert group, SMIT.

The same group was involved in the salvage operations of MV Wisdom, which was stuck near the Juhu beach last month.