Nine Rescued From Grounded Cargo Ship Off Greek Island, Operation Underway To Prevent Oil Spill

Bad weather conditions in Andros Island are reportedly preventing Greek authorities from pumping out the leaking oil from the general cargo ship Cabrera that run aground off the rocky coast.

The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV Cabrera ran aground north of Andros Island on Christmas Eve and its nine crew members were rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard.

According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the ship partially sunk in very heavy surf due to adverse weather conditions along the coast and the rescued crewmembers on board were transferred to local hospitals.

The incident was reported immediately to the local authorities when the crew asked for urgent evacuation as the ship suffered breaches below the water line.

Reports said the 5,553 DWT vessel was en route from Larimna, Greece to Tornio, Finland when the accident happened and was carrying 3.5 tons of ferronickel and about 70 tons of fuel.

MV Cabrera is reportedly suffering a 45 degree list and oil sheen of around 500 square meters has been observed in the area. Authorities have now placed absorbent dams to prevent the expansion of the oil spill, reports said.

Local authorities said, considering the present scenario, the ship might be considered as a total loss.

Greek CG said the bad weather caused the accident, while AIS track suggested the reason of accident looks more like navigational error, FleetMon reported. However, media reports said the adverse weather conditions have resulted in at least four other shipping incidents over the last week in the Aegean Sea.

Owned by Reederei Erwin Strahlmann GmbH & Co, MV Cabrera was built in 2007 by Pendik Shipyard in Istanbul, Turkey. With a gross tonnage of 4,244 GRT, the vessel has overall length of 180.00 m, moulded beam of 17.00 m as well as maximum draft of 6.50 m, reported Maritime Herald.

Watch the rescue video below: