Sounion Tanker Salvage Operation Underway in Yemen

The mission to salvage a Greek-owned tanker located west of the Yemen port of Al Hudaydah is underway, as the Sounion vessel, which had been stranded since August 27, is being towed by the “Aigaion Pelagos” tugboat.

Earlier this morning, the Greek rescue vessel arrived on the site, accompanied by strong military forces, including three frigates, helicopters, and a special forces unit.

The special salvage team from the “Aigaion Pelagos” that boarded the tanker managed to secure the vessel to the rescue ship, despite the challenging conditions on the tanker’s deck, where fire hotspots caused temperatures to reach up to 400 degrees Celsius, according to measurement instruments.

The tugboat, with the escort of military forces, is towing the Greek tanker north, in an effort to relocate it out of the danger zone as the Iran-backed Houthi militants continue to carry out attacks.

The firefighting tug “Panormitis,” which is also following the Sounion vessel, remains on standby, ready to extinguish any fires if necessary.

A previous salvage operation failed last week over security concerns and difficulties in tethering the massive vessel.

The tanker was hit by Iran-backed Houthi rebels operating from a portion of Yemen. The vessel is anchored at roughly 72 nautical miles west of the Yemen port of Al Hudaydah.

The vessel is the third ship owned by the Athens-based Delta Tankers that was attacked this month by the terrorist rebels in the Red Sea.

The Supreme leader of the Houthis stated that the group allowed the withdrawal of the vessel over concerns about a potential ecological disaster.

Source: tovima.com