Spanish authorities found themselves facing a rare case, ultimately deciding to intervene and tow a ship that was drifting unmanned in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Maritime Authority of the port of Malaga stated to Spanish media that the 5,800 dwt capacity ship Marine I was sailing near the Strait without propulsion and unmanned for 10 full days. It has run out of fuel, water, and food and has also experienced mechanical problems.
The Maritime Authority of Malaga reported that the tug Luz De Mar was dispatched to tow the Marine I and bring it to the port of Malaga. The decision was made to ensure the safety of the ship, its crew, and navigation.
The Marine I is a cargo ship built in 1994, with a crew of 17 people from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ghana, Montenegro, Nigeria, and Ukraine, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
According to the ITF abandonment database, the crew members were owed two months’ wages. The owning company is based in the UAE and still manages another ship named Sundry. This second cargo ship – like the Marine I – has an extensive history of observations and deficiencies.
