EMEA News
Crews Watch for Spills as MV Benita Sinks
Five Oceans Salvage Saturday said that crews are monitoring for pollution after the MV Benita sank about 93.5 nautical miles off Mauritius while under tow to India for demolition.
The vessel made headlines when it ran aground June 17 after a brawl broke out onboard, resulting in the grounding and a subsequent bunker spill, and was since been debunkered and refloated.
Five Oceans Salvage says the vessel, which had earlier taken a severe stern trim, turned over by the stern at approximately 1:35 p.m. local time Saturday.
The tug towing the vessel, Ionian Sea FOS, anticipating MV Benita's imminent sinking, is said to have then activated the tow line quick release system.
The vessel sank at 5:30 p.m. local time the same day at a charted depth of 4,400 meters.
"No one was on board the vessel at the time of the incident and all the crew from the tug are safe and accounted for," noted the salvage company.
"No debris or pollution was observed around the vessel and the IONIAN SEA FOS will remain on site to monitor further for signs of any pollution at first light tomorrow."
Last month, Five Oceans Salvage said that more than 200 cubic metres (cbm) of contaminated fuel oil and lubrication oil had been safely removed from the vessel.
