Greek experts to help tow cargo ship

The team was already at work in the afternoon. The main objective is to repair the damaged equipment to allow the vessel to be towed to Port Louis harbour so that the repairs could be completed.

So far, divers of the Taylor Smith company have detected no damage to the hull of the ship but a general survey would allow them to detect any flaws.

The propeller of the cargo has been damaged and thus Angel 1 is unable to travel in the high seas. The necessary parts needed to repair the ship have already been sent by air by the ship owner.

However, the towing exercise remains the main worry, especially as the previous operation on Tuesday night was unsuccessful.

The Panamanian ship is still stuck on the coral reefs at Poudre d’Or. Another attempt was planned for late Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, inhabitants of the region and local fishermen are worried about the presence of the ship, fearing an ecological disaster if Angel 1 ever meets an accident, causing leakage of its fuel oil.

They believe that the fuel oil could spread into the sea and would affect the shoreline as the ship is only 12 to 15 metres from the land.

The Mauritius Port Authority has taken all necessary precautions to prevent such a catastrophe.