Despite high swell at the site of casualty of capsized oil barge 'Orion-I', the lighterage operation would be completed in next 48-hours.
The salvagers hoped that the oil recovery in siphonage operation would be completed till mid-night on Saturday, but the weather with high wind velocity creating two-metre tides which is hampering the rescue efforts.
Sources told Business Recorder on Thursday night, when they were winding-up the operation for the day (Thursday), the experts were worried about the stability of weather at sea.
The source said prevailing rough sea condition might cause delay to commence the diving operation and mooring of crafts near casualty site.
After the sunset, the divers were working with the help of high-power lighting system under the sea and cutting through hot-tap system in the two submerged tanks No 5 and 6 for oil recovery operation. While the remaining four tanks were completely emptied on Wednesday, the sources said. During the operation, the divers commenced and completed connecting, as well as running suction hose from tank No 3.
Due to rough sea conditions, barge 'Navera' could not remain alongside and it was instructed to untie the ropes to secure the oil recovery barge and move it away. Another bunker barge re-moored about 10 metres off 'SSS-98' and dropped an anchor to hold it for oil recovery. The salvage team commenced the oil recovery operation with pumping from tank no.3 of Orion-I into bunker receiving barge 'Navera'.
During the operation, senior Karachi Port Trust (KPT) officials visited at the site of accident and were briefed by the salvagers regarding the ongoing operation. The source said that due to the month of Ramazan, procurement of required equipment and gears is slow, as most service providers close down early in the day.
There are 15 person, including experts, who are involved in the oil recovery operation, of which seven divers were engaged for this purpose only. The oil barge Orion-I capsized on October 6, creating a widespread oil spill into the sea.
The vessel had turned turtle (capsized) in about 5 meters of water on the seabed, which is composed of soft mud and silt. The barge is resting on its bridge.