Visakhapatnam: Expressing displeasure over the management of the Vietnamese ship MV Hai Duong 09 which tilted in the EQ-5 berth in the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) on Wednesday afternoon following improper loading of steel billets, authorities of VPT on Thursday served notices on the management of MV Hai Duong 09.
Sources said that the restoration work was in progress on Thursday to restore the vessel to its original position. The VPT has obtained an indemnity bond and surveyors from Mercantile Marine Department. Authorities at the VPT have reported the incident to the Director-General of Shipping.
It may recalled that the ship tilted towards its starboard side and was seen resting on the berth. Luckily, there were no injuries to either crew or the loaders. Some senior officials with VPT said that mishandling of ballasting operation led to the tilting of the vessel.
As per the procedure, ballasting was the key operation for balancing the vessel in the berth while loading in the vessel. Seawater is pumped into the central tank of the vessel before loading the steel or iron or any heavy metals. Based on the progress of the loading operation, the sea water is de-ballasted for the proper balance of the vessel. But in the specific case with Merchant Vessel Hai Duong 09, de-ballasting was done after loading of over 1,000 tonnes of steel so that the vessel tilted to the berth side.
The incident has triggered panic among the officials of the VPT but fortunately, there was no damage to lives.
