Benita Sinks During Tow to Alang
The MV Benita has sunk while under tow from Mauritius to Alang.
The geared bulker Benita ran aground on reefs near the small city of Mahebourg, Mauritius, on June 17, reportedly due to an attempted mutiny and a brawl among her 23 Taiwanese and Filipino crew. The London P&I Club – the Benita's insurer – said in a statement that the vessel had grounded because "a crew member . . . suffered a serious medical episode which led to him attacking one colleague before causing extensive damage to the engine room systems that led to a loss of power to the vessel."
The vessel was refloated on July 23.
Salvage company Five Oceans Salvage reports that Benita sunk approximately 93.5 nautical miles from Mauritius at a depth of 4,400 meters. The vessel turned over by the stern after developing a severe trim, prompting the tug Ionian Sea FOS to use the quick release on its towline in anticipation of the Benita’s imminent sinking.
No one was on board the vessel at the time, and Five Oceans Salvage reports that there has been no debris or pollution visible.