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The government has removed 140.1 tonne of oil sludge off the coast of Chennai and Kamarajar. According to the status report on the oil spill, "The total quantity of sludge which was removed till February 2 was 65 tonnes. In addition, 'Super Suckers' had removed 54 tonnes which contained 70% water. On February 3, about 21.1 tonnes of additional sludge was removed from Ernavoor."
The report noted that two vessels namely, M.T. BW MAPLE and M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM collided at 3.45 A.M. on January 28 outside the Kamrajar harbour. The vessel M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM, which was carrying 32,813 Tonnes of petroleum, oil and lubricants, suffered a rupture which led to the oil spill. The damaged vessel was towed and berthed at Kamarajar Port on January 30.
The report also noted that there is a vast difference between quantity of oil spilled and sludge recovered since 'oil gets coagulated and becomes puffy' when it is recovered with water, sand etc. According to the report, "More than 90% of the work has been completed and most of the residual work is expected to be completed in a couple of days."
The maximum drift of sludge was at Ernavur. Sludges at R.K. Nagar (3.40 tonnes), Marina (7.50 tonnes), Sakthi Nagar and Gandhi Nagar (5.40 tonnes), Elliot (0.62 tonnes) were recovered.
The Directorate General of Shipping has instituted an inquiry to ascertain the causes and contributory factors that led to the accident. Both the ships have been restrained from leaving the Port according to the report.
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