Chennai: The blaze in the IOC-chartered oil tanker, carrying 2.7 lakh MT of crude oil to its refinery at Paradip port in Odisha, appears to have been doused, despite inclement weather, rain and strong winds, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said.
In a series of tweets, the ICG said there was no flame and smoke visible on the oil tanker and the situation was being monitored for further action. Continuous bounday cooling process was in process, it added.
It said intense and persistent firegighting efforts overnight despite inclement weather and strong winds by the India Coast Guard and Sri Lankan ships and four tugs on the ill-fated VLCC oil tanker ‘MTNewDiamond’ ensured keeping fire restricted to accommodation area away from the oil area.
For the fith consecutive day, the ICG said firefighting efforts were on by the ICG and Sri Lanka ships and tug boats by spraying foam and water for boundary cooling.
Rain with strong winds and moderate swell being experienced in area and the ICG was in liaison with Sri Lankaran authorities.
It said, “fireFighting With efforts of ICG and SL Ships, tugs and aircraft, fire appears to be doused. No flame & smoke visible on #MTNewDiamond. Situation being monitored for further action. Continuous boundary cooling in progress with use of AFFF and water spraying”.