Joint mission to map seabed around MV X-Press Pearl wreck

The Indian Navy Survey Ship, ‘INS Sarvekshak’, arrived in Colombo Port yesterday to assist in a joint survey of the area surrounding the wreck of MV X-Press Pearl​

By Asiri Fernando

The Government is planning a joint mission to survey the vicinity of the wrecked MV X-Press Pearl container vessel to restore safe navigation of the area outside the Colombo harbour.

Authorities had expressed concern that submerged shipping containers and other debris from the fire-stricken MV X-Press Pearl could pose a navigation hazard for fishermen and ships calling at Colombo Port. The Singaporean flagged container vessel was reportedly carrying 1,486 containers when a suspected chemical linked fire broke out on 20 May. It is believed that some containers aboard her fell into the sea before it sank.

An Indian Navy Survey Ship, the ‘INS Sarvekshak’, arrived at Colombo Port yesterday to assist the surveying following a request by the Sri Lankan Government, the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Colombo said. According to the IHC, the Sarvekshak comes equipped with state-of-the-art survey equipment, including a Side Scan Sonar. 

A meeting to plan the survey was held yesterday, which was attended by officials from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), the Indian High Commission and representatives from the Sri Lanka Navy.

NARA and the Navy had begun to survey parts of the affected coastline using the Navy Hydrography vessel, the 'Sagarika', a senior Navy officer told Daily FT, adding that suspected debris found on the seabed needs to be verified by divers. The Salvors in charge of the MV X-Press Pearl wreck has approached the Navy for a commercial survey of the wreck, Daily FT learns.