Large ships may be kept away for 2 more weeks

The Marine Department of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) through newspaper advertisements has already declared the spot "dangerous for surface navigation" and advised mariners to move with caution and take permission from CPA Radio Control before entering or leaving the Karnaphuli Channel.

CPA is also thinking to take more precautionary measures including imposition of restriction on movement of vessels over 170 metre length for 15 days, sources said.

The steps are being considered since the sunken vessel could be causing around 0.5 metres of siltation around it a day, they said.

Large oil tankers or cargo vessels would not be allowed to enter the mooring or jetties if such restriction is imposed, the sources said.

Delay in salvation of the vessel may cause emergence of a shoal near Naval Academy point of the port channel and create longstanding stalemate in vessel movement through the channel.

As the sunken vessel narrowed down the Disk and Diamond Line - the base line of vessel movement in Chittagong port channel--the port authorities on Friday rearranged positions of the Green Bar and the Inner Bar, changing route of vessel movement and allowed piloting vessels along a single line.

Meanwhile, Shipping Secretary Rafiqul Islam on Friday visited the spot and held a meeting with the high officials of CPA, Marine Mercantile Department and others concerned at the port rest house.

At the meeting, experts observed that non-trimming of Shah Badar 1 after loading cargo might have caused the accident.

Trimming is vital to maintain balance of a vessel during movement and henceforth there should be provision for supervising the trimming, the experts said.