New Black Sea incident: Liberia-flagged vessel damaged, possibly by drone
A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier transporting coal from Norfolk, United States, to Ukraine reported damage during the night from Thursday to Friday while sailing approximately 22 nautical miles south-east of Sfantu Gheorghe. The damage was most likely caused either by the impact of a maritime drone or by the explosion of a naval mine.
According to information provided by the ship's master, there were no injuries and the crew no longer requires evacuation.
'During the night of July 23-24, the Romanian authorities were informed through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), operating within the Romanian Naval Authority, of an incident on board the merchant vessel Christiana B. The Liberia-flagged ship, carrying coal from Norfolk, United States, to Ukraine, was located in Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 22 nautical miles south-east of Sfantu Gheorghe,' the Department for Emergency Situations said in a press release.
The distress call was transmitted via the international maritime communication channel, with the crew reporting damage to the vessel and requesting assistance. At that stage, there were indications that the crew might need to be evacuated.
Following the alert, the relevant emergency response mechanisms were activated.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre coordinated the operation, dispatching the search and rescue vessels SAR APOLLO and SAR ARTEMIS of the Romanian Agency for Saving Human Life at Sea (ARSVOM) to the scene.
At the same time, a helicopter belonging to the General Inspectorate of Aviation of the Ministry of Interior carried out an aerial reconnaissance mission to assess the situation.
According to the ship's master, there were no injuries and the crew no longer requires evacuation. The vessel is also able to continue sailing towards shore for technical inspections and repairs.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the damage to cargo hold No. 6 may have been caused either by the impact of a maritime drone or by the explosion of a naval mine, the press release said.
Romanian authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and are maintaining operational cooperation between all relevant agencies in order to provide the necessary assistance and take the appropriate measures. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)
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