Search underway on ridges to locate MSC ELSA3 containers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The remains of the containers from the vessel MSC ELSA3 that sank in Kochi on May 25 are likely to be found on the ridges under the sea. Based on this, the Friends of Marine Life in Thiruvananthapuram and the scuba divers in Kochi are preparing for further inspection.

This follows the discovery of container debris in Kovalam the other day.

Inspections will be carried out in Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari areas with the cooperation of fishermen. The ship sank 38 nautical miles southwest of the Kochi coast. The 640 containers from the vessel went down into the depths of the sea.

It is believed that the debris may have settled on the rocks in the Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram areas as the sea was turbulent in June and July. The inspections will be carried out in November, December and January, seasons conducive for scuba diving.

Rock formations found under the sea, similar to mountains, are known as ridges. Some ridges are 40-100 meters deep. A study conducted by Friends of Marine Life found more than a hundred such seamounts in the Alappuzha-Kanyakumari region. The inspection will focus on these areas.

The inspection is to find more containers. Along with this, if the contents inside them can be identified, more compensation can be obtained through the court - Robert Panipilla, Friends of Marine Life, Thiruvananthapuram