Overview
- Libya’s maritime authority said rough weather snapped the tow line, leaving the Arctic Metagaz out of control and drifting in the Mediterranean.
- The authority urged all vessels and naval units to stay at least 10 nautical miles away and to report any smoke or leaks they see.
- Officials said the tanker’s path cannot be predicted and asked Mediterranean countries to help bring the ship under control.
- The ship suffered explosions and a large fire in early March off Sirte, and all 30 crew escaped, with two injured, according to Russian and Libyan reports.
- Libya’s National Oil Corporation worked with Italy’s Eni and used the Egyptian tug Mardave on earlier tow attempts that also struggled in bad seas.