RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Vanessa Kussie, the wife of missing diver Rishi Nagessar, has been assured that pumping of a 30-inch diameter pipeline is continuing to retrieve the body of her husband.
Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Kussie said, “They told me they are pumping the pipeline slowly so his body will remain intact. I am thankful for that.”
She added, “They also told me they are still taking out oil from the line. They are pumping the line but not fast. They’re pumping cautiously and I appreciate everything they are doing. I am just waiting to get closure.”
Meanwhile, Nagessar’s elder brother Rajesh Beharry said he was trying to cope with the tragedy.
“It is hard for me dealing with this. They are still looking for the body. I am seeing about many different things and it really hard,” Beharry said.
He added, “They have sent in an RV into the pipeline but they still have not seen anything as yet.”
Paria Fuel issued a statement at 2 pm yesterday saying several alternative options are now being considered.
“Given the complexity of this operation and the many variables to be considered, including environmental challenges, Paria has dedicated significant resources to ensure that we recover Mr Nagassar’s body responsibly and respectfully.”
The company said consultation meetings were held throughout the night with other technical experts to review alternative methods while ensuring that the body is recovered.
“We have attempted on several occasions, using remotely operated cameras to try and locate the body, but have not been successful. As we commence the next phase in the recovery process, we are mindful of the careful and respectful retrieval of the body in a manner that minimises any impact on the environment. This incident has taken a significant toll on the families and loved ones of LMCS employees who were involved, and we extend our deepest condolences to them at this extremely difficult time,” Paria said.
The company said it continues to provide family members with counselling support during this time.
“As a company, we are also very mindful of the undue pain and anguish that can be caused when speculation and misinformation persist in the public domain. We take this opportunity to urge the public and interest groups to be thoughtful of presenting or sharing misinformation to the various media platforms. We also give the assurance that we will continue to provide updates, first to the families, and to the public, on the progress of the recovery operation as new information comes to hand.”
Nagessar and four other divers - Fyzal Kurban, Yusuff Henry, Christopher Boodram and Kazim Ali Jr - were conducting maintenance works on a 30-inch diametre seabed crude oil pipeline at Berth No 6, Pointe-a-Pierre, on February 25, when they were sucked into the pipeline.
Two hours later, Boodram was pulled out of the pipeline by another diver.
He had been saved by Kurban, a diver with 30 years experience, who managed to push him along the line so he could get out. Kurban died along with the other divers.
Kurban’s father Ramjohn Kurban had perished on October 17, 1985, when an offshore platform in that same area, erupted in flames. Despite this, Kurban became a certified commercial diver, working in several parts of the world and training dozens of other divers. Some of these divers had been willing to enter the pipeline when the men became stuck on Friday afternoon.
The reason that the divers were pulled into a vortex created inside the pipeline is now the subject of an investigation. Boodram’s relatives said he remains traumatised and is still warded at a private hospital.
The pipeline goes down 55 feet below the silt of the ocean floor and then runs 1,200 feet across before running up again around 65 feet to Berth 5.
The pipe is cased with 3-inch thick concrete.
