Navy assures complete stability of vessel

Fire on board MT New Diamond put out

The Navy yesterday gave assurance that there would be no re-ignition of the fire in the crude oil tanker MT New Diamond which is in the Eastern seas and said that the ship was stable in the sea.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Navy Head Quarters, Navy Spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said that water was pumped onto the crude oil tanker for six days with the help of at least four tugs and ten ships to douse the fire in its engine room.

“According to the information received, eighty per cent of the main pump room and the engine room was filled with water. Therefore, a certain section at the stern of the ship is underwater and due to that, the stem (front) of the ship is lifted. Following the receipt of the stability data of the ship it was reported that the ship is stable and there is no threat of it sinking,” the Navy Spokesman said.

Meanwhile, another fuel patch from the crude oil tanker was spotted last morning.the first fuel patch was spotted on Tuesday (8) evening about a kilometre away from the tanker.

“The Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft stationed at the Mattala International Airport was flown to the

area and it sprayed a chemical on the patch to dissolve it and to minimise the damage caused to the marine environment,” the Navy Spokesman said.

Three specialists of the rescue company of the ship were on board for the first time yesterday and conducted preliminary investigations on the fire.