Oil Tanker Runs Aground Off Estonia, Crew Still Onboard

A Bahamian-flagged oil tanker ran aground on a shoal, east of Aegna Island.

The ship had no cargo onboard at the time of the grounding, and there was no immediate threat of pollution or harm to the 24 crewmen aboard the Kyeema Spirit. The vessel was leaking bilge water, but the leak was subsequently stopped.

A maritime representative from Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board confirmed that the tanker is currently stable and the crewmembers are still onboard.

The wreck site is being monitored by three tugboats and an anti-pollution ship. Upon good weather conditions, the Kyeema Spirit will be towed out of the shallow area.

Without request from Estonian officials, the Finnish and Swedish border patrols and environmental protection officials are keeping a close watch on the situation. A Swedish airplane conducted an observation flight over the area, and three anchored Finnish anti-pollution vessels are standing by. A Finnish environmental specialist warned that the ship's own fuel supply could still pose a threat. If a leak occurred so close to the shore, it could do serious damage.

Photo (thumb) credit: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=450937