Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1462122
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 MARCH 2022 NEWS B ' V I Ż J O N I Ċ A R A G Ħ A L L - F U T U R KANDITAT TAL-PARTIT LABURISTA GĦALL-10 U GĦAT-12-IL DISTRETT F L I M K I E N N I B N U F U T U R T N A X- I L D I S T R E T T L- G Ħ A X A R D I S TR E T T +356 77 220 203 info@velladario.com dariovella014 VelDario LUKE VELLA THE anchor of a large chemical tanker drifting off Malta's east coast got stuck to the subsea electricity interconnector ca- ble. The tanker Chem P was caught in Force 8 winds and rough seas after drifting off its Hurd's Bank anchorage. The Scirocco winds whipped up in what is looking as a cold and blustery end to wintertime. A salvage operation lasting the entire day throughout Sat- urday was launched by Tug Malta boats. Ship-tracking website Vessel Finder showed that the 209m St Kitts and Nevis-registered ship Chem P was drifting just off the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq coastline after leaving anchorage outside ter- ritorial waters. Up to three tug boats were de- ployed in a bid to avoid the ship running aground on the reefs off the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq coast. Transport Minister Ian Borg confirmed on Facebook that Transport Malta was assisting the tanker since it ran the risk of running aground close to the coast. "I was informed that the ship had difficulties keeping its po- sition outside territorial waters due to the bad weather. I was assured that the risk of a chem- ical spill is very low," Borg said. It is unclear whether the tank- er cut its moorings as a result of the sea conditions and whether the ship has any cargo on board. The ship was originally being assisted by the tug boat Spinola. However, it was later joined by a second tug boat, St Elmo. The salvage operation is being conducted in very difficult con- ditions as a result of the gale force winds and rough seas. PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BIANCHI Tug boats in salvage operation as chemical tanker drifts close to shore Ship-tracking website Vessel Finder showed that the 209m St Kitts and Nevis-registered ship Chem P was drifting just off the Bahar ic-Caghaq coastline after leaving anchorage outside territorial waters