MPA Comments On Fire Incident Of Fishing Vessel Ruey Chien Tsai

In respect of the fire incident involving Fishing Vessel FV RUEY CHIEN TSAI 112 which occurred in the evening of 24 August 2021, the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) wishes to provide an update of the situation as at 30 August 2021 morning, as detailed below: –

1. Pumping operations started on Saturday 28 August 2021 and continued till 18:30 hours on Sunday 29 August 2021.
2. An environmental survey was carried out on Saturday 28 August 2021 by the appointed marine scientist and no adverse effects on the marine ecosystem were observed.
3. No oil spill or any other incident have been observed during the pumping operations.
4. The sum total of contaminated diesel recovered from the wreck as at now is 62 m³.
5. About nine (9) tanks have been pumped so far.
6. As the pumping operations have caused the wreck to become lighter, an additional mooring rope has been placed to secure it to the shore.
7. Ecofuel Ltd with the assistance of the crew will continue to clear the debris and locate the other tanks today so that they can be pumped.
8. The volume of contaminated diesel that would be recovered is expected to exceed the 65 m³.
9. The exact amount of pure diesel recovered will only be known after Ecofuel Ltd filters out the water at its treatment plant.
10. The MPA has taken all precautionary measures in case of any spillage and to avoid any damage to the marine environment. Moreover, the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities concerned.