Turkish Oil Tanker Azra-S Grounded
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 05, 2010 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Director of Maritime Affairs, Mr. Mc Clean Hobson said Tuesday afternoon a tug from the Dutch island of St. Eustatius is on its way to dislodge a Turkish-flagged oil tanker which broke its mooring in the Basseterre harbour Monday night due to rough weather.
Mr. Hobson said the motor tanker Azra-S arrived here late Sunday afternoon with just over 22,000 barrels of diesel for Sol and Texaco.
“At about 8:00 PM (Monday) 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. It had already discharged 3,900 barrels of diesel,” said Mr. Hobson.
He told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) he expects no oil spill as it is a modern vessel with double hull.
“But again, anything can happen and we are monitoring the situation,” said Hobson.