BP Update| Live scenes of the MV Onego Traveller following distress around Hole in the Wall, South Abaco. The crew was rescued. pic.twitter.com/7vSb5JfQ6O
— Bahamas Press (@Bahamaspress) January 1, 2023
A freighter sank last week off the coast of Abaco, The Bahamas in hazardous weather, with salvors working to reduce the risk of pollution.
The Onego Traveller began taking on water in the ballast system off the southern end of the island of Great Abaco, according to the Bahamian government.
An attempt to intentionally ground the ship on a sandy beach was unsuccessful, and the freighter eventually sank, while the tops of its cranes and the wheelhouse were exposed.
All 12 members of the crew were safely evacuated before the vessel sank.
Fuel and Ferix cargo have both been reported at the surface, according to the Bahamian government. As a result, booms have been deployed to contain any potential spill.
A dive team has also been deployed to seal up the vessel’s fuel vents to control leakage. In addition, a skimmer boat has also been dispatched to address any spill at the surface.
These stories are distressing even though, thankfully the crew were unharmed. One can only pray that that no harm is done to the environment in that iconic part of the world and that salvage operations begin without delay.
Paul Weber