The implementation of the approved operational plan for securing and subsequent towing of the tanker "Kairos," which ran aground in the area of Ahtopol, has begun, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced. The plan was prepared jointly by the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration" and the operation's executor, "BMF TAG SERVICE" (BMF TUG Service).
This morning, an emergency marine generator with a power of 150 kW was delivered to the port of Burgas, intended to restore the operation of the tanker's anchoring device. The generator will be loaded onto a working boat along with the necessary power supply equipment and mooring ropes.
Tomorrow (December 14th), the working boat will move the generator to the "Kairos" tanker. A technical team will board and connect the power supply, test the anchoring device, and restore the operation of the left anchor to ensure safe conditions for the next stage of the operation, the ministry explained.
On December 15th (Monday), three tugboats are expected to be moved to the tanker's area and begin raising the anchor and towing, in accordance with the approved plan. The operation is expected to be completed on the same day with the safe anchoring of the tanker in a pre-determined area in the Burgas Bay, the announcement also stated.
During the entire operation, the "Maritime Administration" will maintain constant control and coordination, taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment.
To carry out the operation's activities, the government has approved a decision to provide 1.2 million leva, BTA recalls. Last Friday, the tanker "Kairos," sailing under a foreign flag, ran aground off the coast of Ahtopol. After a meeting of the Regional Crisis Staff for Disasters and Accidents, the Regional Administration in Burgas announced that there was no evidence of environmental consequences related to the situation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georg Georgiev, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, requested clarification from the Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria, Mehmet Uyanık, regarding the reasons and the manner in which the vessel entered Bulgarian territorial waters. The Turkish diplomat stated that the operation with the "Kairos" tanker off the Bulgarian coast was carried out by a private Turkish company without prior notification of the Turkish state. According to him, the Turkish institutions have already launched an investigation into the case and will promptly provide full information to the Bulgarian authorities.