In an emailed statement today, Japanese classification society ClassNK notes that their Casualty Investigation Team, established in response to the 17 June 2013 casualty involving the containership MOL Comfort, continues to work in close contact with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and government authorities to determine the cause of the loss of the vessel while transiting through the Indian Ocean.
As we reported earlier this week, the fore section of the MOL COMFORT sank on 11 July 2013. This was an unfortunate event which ClassNK notes, potentially held important clues to her untimely demise.
ClassNK expects to consolidate their preliminary findings by early September 2013. Commenting on the situation today, they note:
“ClassNK has the greatest respect for all parties involved for their hard work and efforts in response to this casualty, foremost among them the safe rescue of all the ship’s crew. ClassNK will continue to make every effort to determine the cause of this incident, and will work to ensure that the results of the investigation are used to secure greater safety for the maritime industry.”
So if the inspections of similar ships fail to find a cause, do an ROV inspection of the sunk sections.
If af447 can be found and examined large pieces of ship that sunk in known locations can be as well.
Admittedly, this would be a multi million dollar expenditure, but far cheaper than the lost cargo.