Oil transfer operation of Orion-1 completed in Karachi
'Pakistan Times' Sindh Bureau Report

KARACHI: The transfer of oil from sunken oil barge Orion-I completed Saturday after three-day oil transfer operation. The salvage operation was carried out with the assistance of KPT officials.

Mr Lee, Naval Architect from Singaporean salvage company Smith Salvage arrived at Karachi, a few days back and has been preparing plan for lifting the vessel off seabed after which it would be towed away to the shore.

The oil transfer commenced on Thursday afternoon after two barges were fitted with necessary equipment reached the spot earlier on Tuesday, he said.

Two tanks have been cleared and it was a smooth affair as experts took all precautions and best available equipment was put to use, said the owner.

When asked about the quantity of fuel oil transferred or removed, he said as water and fuel oil got mixed with one another, quantity assessment was not possible at this point of time.

He also expressed gratitude to the KPT authorities for rescuing the crew and later for cooperation and coordination in hiring of salvage firm, approval of salvage operation plan and its implementation.

The initial salvage operation was under-taken from Friday last when salvage team removed the debris around the hull, removed accessories, made access to the fuel tanks possible and secured the tanks against oil spill.

In the last phase, the vessel would be towed away to the shore. At present its back portion lies embedded in the soft sand which front portion out of water.

Orion -I, one of about two dozen oil barges operating in port area privately run aground ten days back in a sudden sea swell. It was carrying 72 tonnes of heavy fuel oil at the time of incident but any oil spill was averted as its three-member crew secured the fuel tanks as soon as the vessel developed technical fault after water entered its engine room.

A team of 15 experts including seven divers took part in the salvage operation.●