AYUTTHAYA : A sunken sugar barge that created an environmental disaster on the Chao Phraya River was finally raised and towed away yesterday, 13 days after it sank.
Officials from the Marine Department and navy yesterday salvaged the 500-tonne sugar barge which sank in the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya province on May 31. Four large pontoons were used to raise the barge in a two-day operation which began on Saturday. JETJARAS NA RANONG
The authorities said a barrage of efforts paid off when a joint operation by the Marine Department and the navy lifted the boat from the Chao Phraya River bed in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district.
The salvage team had placed two pontoons underneath the barge on Saturday, the first day of the operation.
It used two more pontoons yesterday and was able to refloat the 500-tonne boat which was towed away by six tugboats for repairs in Bang Sai district.
The boat originally weighed 2,400 tonnes with its sugar cargo. When it hit a bridge pillar and sank on May 31, the sugar dissolved in the river and killed many aquatic animals, including those belonging to local fish farmers.
The environmental impact spread from Ayutthaya downstream to Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan. Damage to fish farms has run into the millions of baht.
The barge also affected river currents, causing rapid erosion of the bank and damaging four riverbank homes.
Strong water currents had hindered salvage efforts although the team managed to launch the first two pontoons on Saturday and two more yesterday beneath the mid-section of the barge.
When all of the pontoons were in place, air was pumped into them and the barge refloated.
As the barge surfaced and moved away, residents watching the operation from the riverbanks let out a loud cheer.
However, the barge began to tip sideway as it was being towed, prompting the navy divers to pull it close to the bank and slip a balloon underneath one of the pontoons to stabilise the vessel.
Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit said a strong barrier must be erected along the eroded bank as the river continues to rise. Mr Kuerkul, a former Ayutthaya MP, said the owner of the barge had agreed to pay compensation to the affected residents.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he was briefed about the salvage operation by Mr Kuerkul. He added the compensation promised to the residents must be made in writing.
The barge is owned by Alpha Marine Supply Co.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti said that his ministry, along with affected residents, the barge owner and the sugar company, will meet today at the Ayutthaya provincial hall to discuss the compensation issue.
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