No oil spill detected as search continues for missing Wan Hai 503 crew

SEARCH and rescue operations continue for four missing crew members from the Singapore-flagged containership Wan Hai 503 (IMO: 9294862) but no oil spill has been detected from the vessel, according to a statement from Wan Hai.

Based upon on-site reports and preliminary assessments by relevant authorities, the incident has not resulted in any pollution.

Among the four missing crew are two Taiwanese, one Indonesian and one seafarer from Myanmar.

The remaining 18 crew members were evacuated with help from Indian authorities. Six injured crew members were hospitalised, with one having already been discharged after receiving treatment.

Wan Hai has appointed T&T Salvage to coordinate salvage efforts in co-operation with Indian authorities.

Fire-fighting tugs Garnet (IMO: 9339870), Saksham (IMO: 9415375) and Water Lily (IMO: 9620865), and salvage vessels Saroja Blessing (IMO: 9299070) and Boka Winger (IMO: 9367504) have been deployed and began on-site operations on June 13.

Currently, Wan Hai 503 is being towed westwards away from the Indian coastline by tug Offshore Warrior (IMO: 9315109).

The follow-up arrangements will depend on the condition of the vessel, according to a source from a Taiwanese marine insurer. If the hull remains intact, the shipowner and the insurers may seek to berth the vessel at a nearby port to unload containers on board. Although some boxes may appear scorched externally, damage cannot be confirmed and inspections would be required, the source said.

Should assessments reveal the hull damage is beyond repair and the ship is no longer fit for navigation, a controlled scuttling at sea may be considered as a worst-case scenario, the source added. Even in the event of scrapping, the hull alone could still value up to $7m–$8m.

Wan Hai is working with the investigations by the Indian coastal authorities and the Singapore authorities into the casualty.