Tanker Stranded Near Ahtopol: Crew Awaiting Improved Weather for Evacuation

The bad weather and the stormy sea still do not allow the evacuation of the crew of the tanker, stranded near Ahtopol, said in the air of Nova TV the director of the General Directorate "Border Police" Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov. According to him, a ship of the "Border Police" is located at the base in Sozopol and is ready to leave together with an inspector from the "Maritime Administration", but it is waiting for the weather in the area to improve, in order to reach the tanker. 

A tanker sailing under a foreign flag ran aground off the coast of Ahtopol yesterday. 

Zlatanov explained that the tanker had entered our territorial waters from the south, and communication was subsequently established with it. The crew complied with the order and dropped anchor, and is currently stable at the location opposite Ahtopol, he added.

"When live contact is established, an attempt will be made for our officers to board together with the inspector from the "Maritime Administration", said Zlatanov. According to him, if the weather calms down, this could happen during the daylight hours. Zlatanov noted that the tanker is currently being monitored with a radio communication system, thermal cameras from the shore, a radar system, and communication with the crew is maintained.

The Director of the GDGP added that the tanker's crew has expressed a desire to be evacuated, but it must happen in the safest way.