CHUKAI: A ghost ship drifting near the Semangkok A oil platform off Terengganu appears to be risk-free as no hazardous chemicals or human remains were found in the abandoned hulk, says Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah.
He said 17 members of the Fire and Rescue Department’s hazardous materials (Hazmat) special team and three officers from the state Marine Department were involved in an hour-long inspection on three levels of the 53.7m-long and 10m-wide ship at the Kemaman Supply Base.
He said the Fire Department had used two types of high-tech equipment – a four-gas meter and gasmet (gas analyser) to detect the presence of any hazardous materials or gases in the ship.
“The Hazmat team used advanced equipment to detect any readings from hazardous chemicals or gases on all three levels of the ship.
“The area was found to be safe, with no signs or presence of human remains.
“Initially, there was an unpleasant odour, but upon inspection it was traced to raw materials in the refrigerator,” he told a press conference.
Abdul Halim said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) team would conduct regular patrols around the ship’s area to prevent trespassing.
The ship was towed to Kemaman Supply Base at about 11.30am on Thursday after it was first spotted on Aug 12.
The ghost ship is believed to be an oil tanker which caught fire off Tanjung Sedili Kecil, along the Johor coast on Aug 7, where one crew member died, with four others injured.
However, the identity of the ship is still under investigation.
Pahang MMEA director First Admiral (Maritime) Mazlan Mat Rejab said for the operation, a Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopter was used for aerial monitoring, while the Maritime Special Task and Rescue Team was flown from Kerteh to the Larut Platform.
From there, they were transferred to MV Aishah AIMS 1 to board the ship.
“The team managed to install the towline, which was then transferred to the MV JM Purnama rescue vessel for the remaining 140-nautical-mile journey,” he said.
