New Delhi: Indian Coast Guard has deputed a 10-member specialist pollution response team along with Pollution Response equipment to Mauritius for supplementing ongoing efforts to contain an oil spill from bulk carrier MV Wakashio on its South Eastern coastline.

This is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “SAGAR” – Security and growth for all in the Region and also to the commitment for shared responsibility and cooperation in the Indian Ocean between India and Mauritius during his visit in March 2016.

The decision comes after holding discussions with Mauritius in aiding for response and containment of oil spread in sensitive marine environment consisting of coral reef, mangroves and endangered marine species.

The Indian Coast Guard team is qualified in pollution response operations at sea and is capable of undertaking pollution response and cleanup operations. The various pollution response equipment such as Ocean and River Booms, skimmers, salvage barge were dispatched to combat oil spill.

The Coast Guard pollution response team in coordination with Mauritius, experts and teams from various other countries and specialised International experts from organisations like IMO and ITOPF will work in tandem to safeguard the pristine ecological sensitive environment and mitigate the effects of spilled oil at sea and on shore.