BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Maritime officials were monitoring a Turkish-flagged oil tanker that became stuck off shore after it broke its mooring during rough seas on Monday night.
Director of Maritime Affairs, McClean Hobson said today that while a tug is due here from the neighbouring Dutch island of St Eustatius to assist in re floating the tanker, officials were monitoring the situation to ensure that there is no oil spill.
“But again, anything can happen and we are monitoring the situation,” said Hobson, adding that the tanker “Azra-S” had arrived here late on Sunday with more than 22 000 barrels of diesel.
“At about 8 o clock last night it broke its moorings due to rough seas and was grounded on the seabed, just offshore. The stern is seated on the seabed and the bow is moving around,” said Hobson.
He said the tanker has already discharged 3,900 barrels of diesel and that he expects no spill since the tanker is a modern vessel with a double hull. (CMC)
