Ambrey Oversees Salvage of Grounded Tanker Caroline Bezengi off Omani Coast
Salvage Operations and Environmental Impact
Ambrey's Involvement in the Salvage Effort
LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - British maritime security company Ambrey said on Thursday it has been engaged in the salvage of the stricken tanker Caroline Bezengi off the Omani coast and that salvage vessels are en route to support the operation.
Details of the Caroline Bezengi Incident
Grounding Near Omani Marine Nature Reserve
The Caroline Bezengi tanker, carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian oil and under international sanctions, ran aground on June 30 near an Omani marine nature reserve that is home to wildlife including Arabian Sea humpback whales and Socotra cormorants.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Response Measures
Ambrey said it was working with stakeholders in Oman and has contracted a leading international oil spill response firm.
Challenges Posed by Weather Conditions
"This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon" Ed Wollaston, director of global response at Ambrey, said.
Environmental and Regional Context
Impact of the Khareef Monsoon
Oman's Dhofar region experiences the Khareef, an annual season triggered by Indian Ocean monsoon winds that fill the area with steady mist, cool drizzles and intermittent rain.
Oil Spill Threat to Omani Coastline
Oman's environment agency said on Wednesday that a vast oil spill from a leaking tanker had started to hit the country's coastline, threatening to become one of the world's worst in years after spreading largely unchecked for weeks.
Background of the Incident
Initial Difficulties and Geopolitical Context
The vessel first reported difficulties off Yemen on June 8 after what maritime sources said appeared to be a blast, and no party has claimed an attack as the tanker navigated two separate wars on its journey from Russia to India.
(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Writing by Tala Ramadan; Editing by Mark Potter and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
