It has been reported that the sunken MV Spice Islander is lying 360metres deep in the water. The South African divers have failed to reach it as the equipments they have can only reach 54metres down.
The information dashed any hopes of the divers from South Africa reaching the boat to see if there were any more bodies trapped inside.
The Head of the Operation Colonel Joachim Zakaria said the divers informed them of the technical hitch, adding: “We have been informed by the head of divers from South Africa that he had communicated with his colleague on the possibility of bringing in a submarine and a special vessel for scanning the area of the accident but the process will be pending until June next year,” he said.
The scanning vessel has the capability to locate the area where the boat has sunk, making it easier to reach it by a submarine.
A Commander of the South Africa Divers brigade Wyne Combrick said TPDF has asked them to remain for two weeks, to clear the area.
“The exercise is going on well although we have not managed to reach the capsized boat. We are proceeding with the work of ensuring the area surrounding the scene is cleared.
The MV Spice Islander capsized and sunk on Saturday on its way to Pemba from Dar es Salaam via Zanzibar.
According to the government report 202 people have so far been confirmed dead, while over 600 survived. Hundreds of people are still looking for missing relatives who were on the boat.
The death toll has risen slightly from 197 to 202 after five bodies were found along the shores of Mombasa in Kenya on Tuesday.
