VietNamNet Bridge – Captain Hoang Ngoc Minh of Binh Duong No 688 collier said officials discussed on Tuesday the measures to be taken if an oil spill from the stuck ship occurred.

Binh Duong No 688 collier is still stuck in Khanh Hoa Province's Van Ninh coastal district. Expert warns oil spill can happen. — Photo dantri.com

The discussions were held among officials from Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority, Khanh Hoa Province's environment and natural resources department and representatives of the Binh Duong No 688 ship.

Captain Minh said the ship was carrying 1,900 tonnes of coal and 6,000 litres of diesel.

However, the seamen had turned off all safety valves of the collier before they left the ship.

The captain said at about 3am on Monday, the ship, running at eight nautical miles per hour, suddenly came up against another vessel. The Binh Duong collier's helmsman couldn't control the wheel, causing the ship get stuck in a rocky shoal in Khanh Hoa Province.

"The collier crashed into rock, its brow, machine and cargo hold were pierced and sea water entered the vessel," Minh said.

Marine experts at Tuesday's talks said it was difficult to approach the coastal rocky area of Van Ninh District where the ship was stuck.

Pham Van Chuong, director of Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority, said relevant officials and the ship's owner were discussing the rescue measures that could be taken.

The Binh Duong No 688 collier left the northern Quang Ninh Province on March 19, on route to the southern Tra Vinh Province.

VNS