A preventive anti-fouling operation is in full swing north of Andros, following the sinking of the vessel “Corsage C”, a Vanuatu-flagged freighter, while the cause of the maritime accident remains unclear so far.
The authorities have put in place a plan to deal with a potential marine pollution, amid fears of fuel leaks from the sunken vessel.
Two special anti-fouling vessels of the Limenikos Σώmos-Hellenic Coast Guard from the port of Rafina have already gone to the site, while two more patrol boats of the L.S. are carrying sea anti-fouling response equipment.
According to reports, within the next few hours the process of developing a floating barrier around the area of the sinking is expected to begin, as well as the placement of absorbent materials, in order to limit any potential environmental pollution.
The cargo ship had sailed from a port in Albania bound for Ukraine, carrying about 8,000 metric tons of soda ash. According to initial reports, the ship struck a rocky area to the north of Andros, under circumstances that are still being investigated by port authorities.
The collision caused severe damage to the hulls and an influx of water, resulting in the ship quickly losing its watertightness and eventually sinking.
A total of nine crew members were on board, who were successfully rescued and are in good health. According to information so far, there are eight Turkish nationals and one Azerbaijani national.
