A general view shows the rescue mission at the bulk carrier ship MV Wakashio
PORT LOUIS, Aug 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritius has arrested the captain of a Japanese bulk carrier that ran aground off its coast, causing a devastating oil spill in one of the world’s most pristine maritime environments, police said.
“We have arrested the captain of the vessel and another member of the crew. After having been heard by the court they have been denied bail and are still in detention,” Inspector Siva Coothen said.
The MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef, Pointe d’Esny, on July 25 while carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil, causing an ecological emergency.
Pointe d’Esny is a well-known sanctuary for rare wildlife.
The ship split in half over the weekend, and the rear part remains stranded on the reef. The bow of the ship is being towed away from the reef.
Rough seas have made it too risky to remove the remaining oil from the ship which spilled hundreds of tonnes of the fuel off the coast of Mauritius, the national crisis committee says.
About 90 tonnes of the fuel was believed to be on board in the engine room when the vessel split.
The Wakashio has already leaked about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the uniquely biodiversity-rich marine ecosystem.
“Due to the adverse weather conditions, it is still risky to remove the remaining small amount of residual oil in the engine room”, the National Crisis Management Committee said on Monday night, adding that “oil pumping operations should resume as soon as the weather permits.”
Mauritius has said it will seek compensation for the leak from “the owner and the insurer” and Japanese firm Nagashiki Shipping has pledged to respond to requests for compensation.
A team of experts from Japan are arriving in Mauritius on Wednesday to help with the clean-up, Japan’s foreign ministry has said.
Earlier this month, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help.
Volunteers took the matter into their own hands, filling sacks with straw to make barriers against the oil – despite orders from the government to leave the operation to the authorities. — NNN-AGENCIES
