Marine environment investigations in the vicinity of Little Basses Reef underway
January 26, 2021Marine environment investigations in the vicinity of Little Basses Reef are in the pipeline resulting in the bulk carrier run-aground incident, said Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Darshani Lahandapura today (26 Jan).
There are no oil leaks from the distressed vessel to the ocean so far, she also said.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), the high tide experienced at the seas off Little Basses Reef had refloated the bulk carrier, MV Eurosun, which had rested on a rock while going aground, approx. 5.5 nautical miles off the island’s south-eastern coast on Jan 23.
Accordingly the distressed vessel has now shifted to a safer location and has anchored since underwater inspections are underway, the SLN also said.
Further, diving inspections have detected minor damages to the ship’s keel due to the rocky and sandy seabed.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Colombo has informed the vessel’s local agent to undertake repairs.
The bulk carrier’s crew including the skipper are safe on-board.