Tunisia, Others Work to Limit Damage after Fuel-laden Ship Sinks
Tunisia will work with other countries that have offered to help it to prevent environmental damage after a merchant ship carrying up to one thousand tonnes of oil sank in Tunisian waters, the defense ministry said on Sunday.The [Xelo] ship was heading from Equatorial Guinea to Malta when it sank seven miles off the coast of the southern city of Gabes on Friday. The Tunisian navy rescued all seven crew members following a distress call.
Bunker Ship Sinks off Tunisia; Entire Crew Rescued
Tunisian authorities intensified efforts on Saturday to avoid an environmental disaster after a merchant fuel ship carrying one thousand tons of fuel sank off the coast of Gabes on Friday, two security sources told Reuters.The Tunisian navy had rescued all seven crew members from the ship, which was heading from Equatorial Guinea to Malta, and sent a distress call seven miles away from southern city of Gabes, the sources added.The cause of the incident was bad weather, the environment ministry said, adding that water had seeped into the ship, reaching a height of two meters.Authorities were wo
At Least 48 Dead after Migrant Boat Sinks
At least 48 migrants were killed when their boat sank off Tunisia's coast and 67 others were rescued by the coast guard, officials said on Sunday, one of the worst migrant boat accidents in recent years.The boat went down near the southern island of Kerkenna, a tourist spot, in the night to Sunday, the defence ministry said in a statement. The victims were Tunisians and other nationalities, it said, without giving details.The rescue operation was suspended late on Sunday but will resume on Monday morning, officials said.Human traffickers increasingly use Tunisia as a launch pad for migrants heading to Europe as Libya's coast guard, aided by armed groups…
New Diving Training Ship Delivered to Tunisia
The Tunisian government has taken delivery of a new training ship, Zarzis A710, which will support diving and security works in air and sea areas of the Mediterranean. The vessel was built by Vittoria Shipyard SpA and commissioned by the Tunisian Defense Ministry as part of the Tunisian-Italian cooperation agreement signed in spring 2015. The Diving Support Vessel will be deployed by the Tunisian authorities as part of the stabilization and pacification operation in North Africa and the Mediterranean area.
High Power for New Tunisian Naval Boats
Two new vessels are set to provide the Tunisian Navy with improved capabilities to conduct search and rescue and extended offshore patrols. Supplying marine engines for two new vessels is marine engine sales and service company Pacific Power Group, who provided twin MTU 10V2000M94 diesel engines, related controls, monitoring systems and reduction gears. The two new 65-foot full cabin inboard boats were delivered by SAFE Boats International this spring with the first boat arriving to Tunisia in April. Among the boats features are twin MTU 1,600 HP diesel engines, shock mitigating seating, climate control, navigation and MTU Blue Vision New Generation monitoring and controls.
Two New Patrol Boats for Tunisian Navy
SAFE Boats International informs it has recently completed an order for two SAFE 65-Foot Full Cabin Inboard Boats for the Tunisian Navy. The first boat has recently arrived in Tunisia and the second boat is in the process of being delivered, the builder said. The new patrol vessels will provide the Tunisian Navy with enhanced capability to conduct search and rescue operations (SAR) and extended offshore patrols. These boats feature dual 1,600hp diesel engines, shock mitigating seating, climate control, navigation package, and are capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
