Following the “MV Wakashio” grounding incident, which spilled approximately 1.000 tonnes off Mauritius, region’s police authorities arrested the bulk carrier’s captain for endangering the safe navigation of a vessel, an offense under Mauritian maritime laws.
According to local sources, the 58-year-old Indian captain made an appearance in the district court in the capital Port Louis to hear the charges, as he will be held in a police cell until he returns to court on 25 August.
Currently, the reasons behind the grounding remain unknown, as police is investigating the matter at hand.
What is more, crewmembers informed the police that there had been a birthday party onboard the ship the day it ran aground.
Another theory being under investigation is that the vessel navigated close to the shore and approached the Mauritius coastline as they were searching for a wifi signal.
For the records, MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef, Pointe d’Esny, on 25 July while carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil, causing huge damage to the country’s coastal waters and marine wildlife.
Namely, in comparison to previous offshore spills, this has taken place close to two environmentally protected marine ecosystems and the Blue Bay Marine Park reserve, which is a wetland of international importance.
Concluding, the bulk carrier recently broke in two, spilling even more oil into the sea, while the Government of Mauritius plans to tow the forward section of the wrecked ship out to sea and sink it.