KARACHI, Nov 5: Another suit for massive damages against the owners of Tasman Spirit and its auxiliary vessel, Endeavour-II, was on Wednesday instituted by the Defence Housing Authority.

Justice Ataur Rahman, who reserved judgment last month on a Rs883,296,000 admiralty suit by seven companies that insured the wrecked ship’s oil consignment, issued notices to the defendants in the new suit for Nov 7. A 102,599-million- rupee suit for damages moved by the Karachi Port Trust and an application for removal of the wreckage to ensure safety of sea traffic and its ultimate disposal are also fixed for hearing on Nov 7.

The DHA suit seeks Rs320,700,450,000 in damages for the immediate and long-term loss caused by the oil spillage to the environment and fauna and flora of the society and the health and living conditions of its individual residents. The KPT had claimed to have included the likely compensation to be sought by the DHA and other aggrieved parties in its suit.

The plaintiffs blame the mishap on the negligence of the owners and masters of the two ships. They also maintain that the owners failed to check oil spill and delayed transfer of oil from the grounded ship. The lighterage vessel, Endeavour-II, was equally big and a smaller vessel was sent much later to shuttle between the two tankers for oil transfer. The damage could have been controlled had the owners taken prompt measures to contain it.

The defendants deny any liability and hold the weather and port conditions responsible for the running aground of Tasman Spirit. They also deny that the lighterage vessel Endeavour-II was inducted belatedly. They said it was moved well in time to store the Tasman Spirit oil and a smaller vessel, Fair Jolly, was brought by them to transfer the consignment and check spillage.

The two ships are already under arrest and attachment through different court orders in the admiralty and civil suits.