The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS are attempting to “lighten” the M/T Formosa Falcon in an attempt to refloat the fuel tanker which has been grounded in waters off of Grand Bahama since last Thursday.

According to Minster of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin, the salvage team has already made three attempts to refloat the vessel without success.

So their next course of action will be to remove some of the fuel and cargo in an attempt to make it less heavy and easier to move.

“Right now we are seeking to identify a vessel that can accommodate the amount of fuel they need to take off. What they will attempt to do is transfer fuel from one vessel to another and lighten the cargo on the stranded vessel. If all goes well that is expected to allow it to float and move on from there,” she said.

“We are in high alert all around, although there has been no evidence of a spill so far. We are in constant dialogue and contact with the owners and we are requiring them to present us any proposal so we can scrutinise and approve and not approve it.

“We are taking this very seriously and currently we have a tug on standby and booms to ensure the stabilisation of the vessel. We are also watching the weather and the MET office is saying the weather is ideal for us to attempt to move it.

“We have our own contingency measures, which they have complied with, so we are just hoping this new strategy works.”

On Thursday, Mrs Hanna Martin confirmed that a 39,307 ton fuel tanker ran aground off the coast of Grand Bahama but the government has maintained there is no evidence of emissions into the water and the hull is reportedly intact.

According to reports, the tanker was changing position at Freeport anchorage due to her proximity to another vessel when the incident occurred.