The rescue operation to recover the oil cargo of the tanker Caroline Bezengi, which has run aground off the coast of Oman, has recently begun. This tanker collided with a rock near Al Qibliyyah Island, located southwest of the Omani coast, and its oil cargo remains on board.
Start of the Rescue Operation
The rescue operation has started in the past few days, and images obtained from the incident site show the absence of other vessels near Caroline Bezengi. Weather conditions, which were affected by strong winds and stormy seas during the Khareef season, have now improved, allowing for the rescue operation to take place.
In this operation, the vessel EDT Kennedy (IMO 9671400) is working as a multipurpose ship, and its logo is visible on the hull. This ship belongs to EDT Offshore, based in Limassol, Cyprus, which typically provides support services to the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the vessel Astro Sculptor (IMO 1091599), which is associated with Mola Marine Services LLC in Oman, is also involved in this operation.
Technical Details of the Operation
In the released images, a rescuer is seen working on the deck of Caroline Bezengi. The tanker has tilted to the right, and the rescuer must operate while waves crash onto the deck. Pumping machinery is being transferred via helicopter from the EDT Kennedy to the deck of Caroline Bezengi. This equipment will be positioned in the rear area of the ship, which is above the water level.
In this operation, water-resistant pipes are also being transferred from the EDT Kennedy to Caroline Bezengi, with the initial rescue plan aiming to connect a 1000-meter line to a rescue tanker near the same island. However, no rescue tanker has been spotted in the area yet.
At the beginning of the operation, the main goal of the rescuer may be to transfer oil from one tank to another within the ship to help stabilize it and prevent further tilting. Additionally, an NH90 helicopter provided by the Royal Air Force of Oman is assisting in the operation, and it is likely that another civilian helicopter is also collaborating.
Although initial plans were made to establish an operational base at the small port and airport of the main island Hallaniyat, it seems that Duqm has been chosen as the main operational base on the coast. Weather conditions at the end of the Khareef season can be variable, and operations may be delayed in the event of storms, but forecasts for next week indicate that wind speeds are unlikely to exceed 10 meters per second.
In good news, images related to the oil leak from Caroline Bezengi last week show that the flow of oil has significantly decreased, indicating that the tanks and ballast spaces may now be emptied and that no further leaks have occurred. This operation is still ongoing, but it seems to confirm the patient approach of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman and points to the resourcefulness of the rescuers.
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