KARACHI, Oct 10: Technical data and photographs of Orion-I have been collected and sent to Australia for a report after which salvage operation would be undertaken.

This was stated by Marine Pollution Control Department Chief Yahya Usmani and two experts from Wyse Muller Salvage Company on Tuesday after a visit to the site where the barge dangled.

Although the sea was comparatively smooth when a diver and a salvage master had a chance to evaluate the nature of the accident, it was a risky affair due to water currents.

After an underwater assessment of the damage to the vessel and its position on seabed besides taking photographs, the two-member team told media that all information gathered by them would be sent to Australia from where a report would be prepared and sent back to the team at Karachi with suggestions or plans for the salvage operation.

Extreme care was being taken to avoid any untoward incident, said Yahya Usmani.

No timeframe for commencement of salvage operation for oil barge was given by the experts or KPT officials who said it would all depend on weather besides final technical assessment.—APP