Kakinada: Divers to start retrieval of steel barge from today

Kakinada: OMSS Diving Services expert divers, who came from Visakhapatnam will again start their retrieval of steel barge operation from Friday.

The steel barge No 81 sank in the sea at Kakinada coast on Sunday and efforts for its retrieval, taken up by the divers have failed so far. The divers stopped their operations for two days and they will again start their operation on Friday.

The barge owner, M Thandava Krishna said that the divers chose four methods – to clear the broken rice cargo from the barge which is in a depth of 30 meters by making use of compressors, to step into the barge in the sea with a group consisting of 15 members and to bring the bags to another barge and to bring individually and to take out the cargo through vacuum pumping and others.

He said that the divers are holding discussions with the experts on retrieval the barge from the sea for which method is made easy.

Meanwhile, the AP Maritime Board officials issued notices to the steel barge owner to clear the spot as early possible in order to clear the way for other ships and barges to handle cargo for others. Thandava Krishna said that it may take minimum 20 to 30 days to retrieve the boat.