• The burden of these efforts has been to focus on preventing the spread of fire towards the vessel’s bow

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been, since the evening of 25 May 2021, carrying out joint firefighting and pollution control efforts along with relevant Sri Lankan authorities including Navy and Coast Guard, to stabilise the situation on the MV Xpress Pearl, a statement from the Indian High Commission said.   

 The burden of these efforts has been to focus on preventing the spread of fire towards the vessel’s bow and thereby protecting anchor, cable-chain and other associated machinery in highly inclement weather. At present, heavy smoke is observed only near accommodation/ Superstructure area in a portion of the ship and is being tackled. Overall, the MV X-Press Pearl is currently assessed as being stable and not having issues with water tight integrity.   External fire-fighting using foam and boundary cooling by sea-water along the entire length of the vessel from either side is under progress and continuous monitoring of the vessel’s draught, list conditions and presence of hazardous and noxious substances overboard is being undertaken. . The ICG ships will continue to assess the situation and the decision to board or approach closer to the vessel will be taken after fully dousing the fire and undertaking sufficient boundary cooling.   Containers that fell from the vessel were identified and threat assessment for navigation safety have already been carried out and shared with relevant Sri Lankan authorities. Aerial surveillance and assessment by (CGDO) has confirmed no leakage of fuel from the vessel so far. CG Dornier will continue to conduct regular aerial assessment of the area for oil spill.