Oil slick found off Goa coast

PANAJI: The authorities had on Wednesday noticed a 'thin streak of oil' from the Singapore ship 'Ocean Saraya' drifted on oyster rocks on Tuesday after swept by powerful gales and high sea currents off Karwar coast in the Arabian Sea.

"No cause for concern,"  is the crypt comment made by Deputy Inspector General of Police R M Sharma commanding the Goa Coast Guard which rescued 20 crew members in a daring operation on receipt of the distress call.

Sharma said the authorities were asked to soak oil absorbants besides immediately taking measures to plug the leakage, if any, and decanting the oil from the ship even as tugs from Mumbai were their on way to tow the brand new vessel back into the sea for carrying iron ore from Karwar.

The search for tracing the second sailor who reportedly leapt into the sea fearing the submersion of the vessel early on Tuesday was still on with two helicopters.

Meanwhile, the choppers recovered two bodies, purportedly of fishermen off Molpe port north of Mangalore. They were handed over to the authorities. The Coast Guard advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea till the weather conditions improve.