The general cargo vessel Sofular 1 became disabled in the Mediterranean Sea about 20 nautical miles off Port-la-Nouvelle, France, in the afternoon of 10th October. The incident occurred while the vessel carrying a cargo of fertiliser from Sulina suffered a gearbox failure that left it disabled and drifting.
After unsuccessful onboard repair attempts, the crew issued a distress call requesting assistance. In response, French maritime authorities deployed the tug Abeille Méditerranée, which reached the vessel later that day.
The tug secured a tow and safely brought Sofular 1 to Port-la-Nouvelle, where it arrived on 11th October to undergo repairs. No injuries, pollution, or further damage were reported in the incident.
Sofular 1 is a 2011-built vessel sailing under the flag of Panama. It measures 88.8 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width.
