The "Crystal Gold" which brokoe lose from its moorings at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage and ran aground near Parki beachran aground at Chattogram's Parki Sea Beach in 2017 during cyclone Mora, is still there threatening the environment. Legal complications have stalled moving of the vessel to a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda and the environment of the 13 km-long sea beach in Anwara upazila, a popular tourist spot, would surely be harmed if it was dismantled there. The Crystal Group as the owner of the bulk carrier was facing legal complications over bank loans and payment of crew members. The Four Star Corporation in October 2018 bought the ship. Unable to move the vessel, it took initiatives in December to dismantle the vessel on the beach but the Department of Environment (DoE) slapped it with a Tk 2 crore fine saying it had not taken the mandatory clearance and Four Star having started breaking up the ship without approval. After receiving a complaint, 1.5 acres of area were found polluted by the discharges of the ship. On January 15, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association filed a writ petition with the High Court against the dismantling of the ship mentioning possible environmental damage. A week later, the ministry of industries after inspecting the spot wrote to the DoE and Chattogram deputy commissioner to stop the ship breaking there as the beach was not a government authorised ship breaking zone and the ministry had not been informed about the dismantling process. On Feb 15, the DC's office told the DoE to take environment-friendly steps as per Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act-2018 for scrapping the vessel. An appeal of Four Star regarding the fine imposed on them was pending with the High Court. No decision can be taken until the court settles it. Opinions of all stakeholders including the ministry of industries will be considered before taking further steps. Actually ship-breaking workers living in a makeshift house erected on the spot. Some workers were awaiting nod from the High Court. Report with photo: https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/ran-aground-not-removed-2yrs-1719064
News
HYPATIA DEALEJANDRIA
Casualty
In the morning of March 22, 2019, a British passenger of the "Hypatia de Alejandria" fell into the sea between Mallorca and Ibiza while the ship was enroute to Palma de Mallorca. Upon the arrival in port it was remarked that the 30 year old man was missing. He had last been seen at 5 a.m. An SAR operation with a helicopter and two SAR boats was launched. Also a helicopter of the Guardia Civil and a French aircraft, which was by chance in the area, joined the search.
