The crew onboard the bulker causing a pollution disaster after grounding off Mauritius may have sailed too close to the coastline in search of an internet connection, Japanese media are reporting.
According to the unconfirmed reports, which cite local news outlet Lexpress.mu, the 20-man crew diverted the 203,000-dwt Wakashio (built 2007) to secure a connection as part of the birthday celebrations of one of the seafarers aboard.
The evidence was reportedly given during police questioning of the crew after the incident.
The crew consisted of three Indian officers, as well as 16 seafarers from the Philippines and one from Sri Lanka. The ship was under the technical management of owner Nagashiki Shipping.
Nagashiki Shipping has been contacted for comment.
Ship diverted 12 hours before grounding
The vessel, chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines, hit the shore on 25 July. But shipping intelligence company Windward suggests that it diverted from the main shipping lanes in the region as long as 12 hours before grounding off Mauritius.
MOL said in a Tokyo press conference earlier this week that the Wakashio was 20 miles outside the planned route when it grounded.
Until now weather conditions had been cited as the most likely reason why the Wakashio drifted off course.
The vessel's grounding caused a 1,000-tonne oil spill and widespread damage to the marine environment in the region.
The remaining 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil on board the vessel has now been removed and the focus is on cleaning up the spilled oil.
Some reports have suggested that the disaster may result in claims as high as $1bn for the Japan P&I Club, the vessel’s protection and indemnity insurer.
Under international conventions, the ship's owners should be able to limit their liability. However, a charge that the crew were grossly or wilfully negligent could possibly be raised as a legal argument to deny the owners their right to limit liability.
In their latest statement, Nagashiki Shipping director Kiyoaki Nagashiki said:
“We can confirm the Mauritius government have requested compensation from us. We are fully aware of the responsibilities of the parties concerned and will respond in good faith to any damages in accordance with applicable law. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to people in Mauritius and other parties involved. We will continue to do our utmost to minimise the impact of oil spill recovery and environmental pollution”.
