The captain and superintendent of the 3,041 dwt cargo ship Atlantic, that grounded off Oskarshamn, Sweden, on September 23, were arrested by Kalmar police and they are suspected of negligence in maritime traffic, according to preliminary investigations.
Currently, the ship is at the grounding location, taking on water, and has 44,000 liters of diesel oil on board, 28,000 liters of which are hopefully to be lifted, so that the salvage operation can start without risk of oil spill. Around the place where the accident is standing, it is very shallow, which makes it difficult for Swedish Coast Guard’s environmental protection ships to come close. The coastguard has landed injuries with the aid of smaller vessels and boats to limit any emissions.
The work of getting a barge to the place, with a tanker on board, is ongoing during the day. The plan is to start the emptying sometime during Monday afternoon. The process takes a little longer than the parties involved had calculated.
“We await the bargain. As early as the unloading attempt can take place tomorrow. It is the salvage company that manages the work. The process goes as we have imagined, but somewhat slower, “says Claes Ringqvist, rescue leader at the Coast Guard.
The vessel is registered and flagged in the Faroe Islands. The crew consists of Russian and Filipino citizens.
Coastal surveillance has not detected any oil spill or water penetration, so far and no person has been injured.
