A phantom ship caused alarm in Bulgarian institutions after it mysteriously appeared off our coast. The vessel, carrying only two sailors on board, dropped anchor near Cape Emine without informing the authorities. The ship is currently detained, and the investigation is ongoing.
The air was tense as the control tower tried to establish contact with the crew of the mysterious ship. The sirens of the coast guard seemed to echo through every corner of the area, creating a sense of impending danger.
After unsuccessful attempts at communication, answers finally emerged. "After about half an hour, they called and it was established that it was the ship VIVA 962, which claimed it was coming for repairs in Burgas. But there is no open procedure, nor an appointed agent. Also, the factory is not expecting it", shared Captain Zhivko Petrov, director of "Maritime Administration".
The next day, an inspection was carried out on board, which revealed a worrying picture. "There were two people - a captain and a mechanic. The ship has no valid documents. In fact, its flag was Cameroon, but the registration certificate expired in February 2024 and then there is no record of it being renewed", said Captain Petrov.
The situation raised a number of questions about safety. Captain Dimitar Dimitrov, president of the European Confederation of Associations of Maritime Captains, highlighted the potential risks: "No one can say whether this ship poses a danger to the environment and to the people on board or not".
In addition, the presence of only two people on board an 84-meter vessel represents a serious violation of the rules. "On ships of this size, the crew is of the order of 8-10-12 people and this is a reason for detaining the vessel", explained Captain Dimitrov.
The detained ship is currently anchored in the Burgas Bay area. It will remain in this place until the shipowner provides the necessary documents proving its validity. The ownership of the ship is registered in Panama.
The investigation is complicated by the testimony of the sailors, who share about a previous stay in an area associated with increased risk. Before reaching Burgas, the ship was detained in the Novorossiysk area. "They stayed there for a long time. They were left with very little fuel, without provisions. They were detained by the harbor master in the Russian Federation, after which they were released and they left and ended up here", said Captain Petrov. This raises questions about the conditions of detention and release, as well as the ship's route.