‘Internet search led to Mauritius oil spill’ – captain

The captain of a Japanese ship that ran aground in Mauritius in July last year, spilling tons of fuel, told an inquiry that he steered the vessel close to the island nation to find an Internet connection. ‘There was no Internet on the ship, and I agreed to dock in Mauritius so that the crew members could communicate with their relatives as it helps keep their morale high,’ said Captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar. BBC News reports that MV Wakashio was carrying 4 000 tons of fuel when it hit a coral reef, causing an ecological disaster. Testimonies given so far to the panel – which is led by former Judge Abdurraffeek Hamuth – have revealed that that there was a birthday celebration onboard at the time.