A briefing on the situation surrounding the blocked tanker near Ahtopol was given by the Chief Director of the Directorate General “Emergency and Rescue Activities“ at the “Maritime Administration“ Agency - Varna, R.R. Rumen Nikolov and the Commander of the Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov.
"The ship is anchored stably and does not pose a threat to the Bulgarian coast. Regarding the people - the operation began in the morning. After the first session at around 6:00 a.m., we were informed that food and water supplies were running low and the batteries were running low.
Measures were taken with the assistance of the Ministers of Transport and Defence to ensure the logistics for the delivery of these materials to ensure the continued stay of the crew on the ship.
We have provided them with food for 3 days, water, and communication equipment to make connections. After we made contact with a representative of the shipowner, the necessary materials were provided.
The materials were delivered by helicopter. Information was received that there were three crew members who were in poor health and who, at the request of the shipowner, were evacuated. During the second course of the helicopter, this mission was carried out and the three people were brought ashore, handed over to the "Border Police" to verify their identity, medical care and further actions have been provided.
These are not refugees and will not be accommodated in any camps or anything of the kind. They will be taken in by a representative of the shipowner. Those who do not require medical observation will most likely be taken to a hotel. The people are safe. The remaining seven people on board the ship are provided with food, water and a diesel generator to provide them with electricity.
For tomorrow morning, four more people will be evacuated from the ship according to the same scheme. On the instructions of the shipowner, three people will remain on board to carry out his instructions, said the chief director of the DG “Emergency and Rescue Activity“ at the “Maritime Administration“- Varna o.r. Rumen Nikolov.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Environment and Water announced that it had begun urgent monitoring of the sea waters in the Ahtopol water area to dispel suspicions of potential pollution from the blocked tanker. In this regard, the Basin Directorate “Black Sea Region“ (BDCHR) - Varna deployed measuring devices and took samples between Sozopol and Rezovo, which will provide data on the state of the sea water.