KARACHI, Aug 22: The KPT Progressive Workers Union has alleged that it was the ill-advised actions, taken on the KPT chairman’s recommendations, that led to the split of the Tasman Spirit in two pieces and resultantly caused environmental hazards.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, the chairman of the union, Lutf-i-Amim Shibli, demanded that key administrative and technical officers, including the KPT chairman, be removed from their posts and an impartial management installed so that those responsible in the disastrous ship break and oil spillage be penalized accordingly.

He claimed that the Tasman Spirit had deliberately been forced into the harbour channel at a time when there had been low tide in the sea and available draft level at around 12 metres. The ship, he pointed out, had been taken over by its pilot at around 9am on July 27.

He maintained that the ship had also been mishandled after its ran aground at the outer edge of the channel. Though remedial measures were taken later, they were not appropriate, he added indicating that the ship had been tied with tugs which caused collisions as well and finally the ship split into two. This was done deliberately, he alleged.

Mr Shibli claimed that the pilot and captain of the ship were reluctant to sail through the channel but were forced by the port’s handling authorities, as well as the KPT chairman, to do so.

Referring to the lighterage operation, he said that the process was also effected very late and that, too, by selecting unsuitable ships.