Indian Coast Guard Cleaning up Oil Spill off Mumbai Coast

Last Thursday afternoon, cargo ship MV RAK sank off the coast of Mumbai , spilling oil while en route transporting coal from Indonesia to the Indian state of Gujarat.  

The MV RAK was carrying an estimated 325 tons of fuel oil, as well as 56 tons of diesel.  The Defense Ministry released in a statement that the MV RAK is now spilling at about one ton per hour.  They commented that from aerial survey results, the oil slick surrounding the vessel has decreased and that the Indian coast guard is working to clean up the spilled oil from the merchant ship.  The trail of oil is visible for up to 12 nautical miles, with thick coverings up to 2 nautical miles from where the Panama-flagged RAK sunk. 

The coast guard reported that about 80-100 tons of oil leaked from the cargo vessel into the Arabian Sea.  Inspector General of the Coast Guard S P S Batra stated that the oil will be reaching coasts between Thal Knob and Alibaug due to wind conditions, but stressed it is unlikely to affect Mumbai.

Another statement from the Indian government postulated that the oil slick off Mumbai was not totally at fault of the MV RAK, and that there was another cause.  The release did not give any additional details as to what else could have played a part in the spill.

All 30-member crew of the MV RAK were rescued safely by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard prior to its plunge into the ocean.