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Wakashio ship sinking

IMO FAIL – Forbes Drills Deep Into The Wakashio Salvage Efforts

John Konrad
Total Views: 641
September 10, 2020

A part of the Japanese-owned bulk carrier MV Wakashio which ran aground, is seen in this August 21, 2020 picture obtained from social media, off the coast of Mauritius. MOBILISATION NATIONALE WAKASHIO /via REUTERS

by John Konrad (gCaptain) According to a new report by Forbes, M/V Wakashio salvage and oil recovery efforts are failing on many fronts. These failures have resulted in deaths, environmental destruction, regulatory mission creep, gender imbalance, disregard for human health, and massive protests on the island of Mauritius and at embassies worldwide. And much of the blame lies with the International Maritime Organization, the maritime arm of the United Nation.

“The IMO had a very clear mandate when it first landed in Mauritius,” says  Forbes contributor Nishan Degnarain.  “Focus only on the oil spill.  The salvage operation was out of scope.  This was agreed with the Government of Mauritius under the framework of the OPRC 90, convention.”

In the year that six major agreements were where signed Fobes suggests that the UN has the partnerships to organize the world’s best scientists, marine investigators, and pollution experts. Instead, they sent a man who has been giving locals terrible advice at town meetings. The ‘IMO Expert‘ who appeared on national television suggesting that exposure to bunker fuel is not a serious cancer concern and  telling Mauritians that oil is “just like skin cream

“The actions of the IMO in what was once the paradise island of Mauritius has shown that this is a regulator that is out of touch and out of date.” says Degnarain. “It is the year 2020. The world deserves better.”

The Report Link

You can read the full report here:
IMO In Hot Water Following Mauritius Oil Spill And Botched Wakashio Salvage Operation

Editorial Comment

If the IMO was smart they would not rely on any single expert. Instead, they would ask member nations to submit names of the best scientists, maritime experts, and investigators. They could then use their close relationship with independent, nonpartisan organizations that have the right people on staff to organize and manage a response team led by someone with a track record of success. Someone like Thad Allen. -JK

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