Malta-flagged tanker officer missing after collision

The Filipino second officer of a Malta-flagged tanker is missing, presumed dead, after fire broke out in a collision with a large fishing vessel south of Oman yesterday morning.

The Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority is investigating.

The tanker, the Everton, was 50 nautical miles off the Oman coast on its way from Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf to Egypt, carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Following the collision, the forward section of the tanker caught fire.

The fishing vessel has not been identified. It is reported to have abandoned the scene of the accident and continued on its voyage.

The blaze was yesterday evening reported to be under control and pollution was limited.

The Everton was manned by a crew of 25 who, with the exception of the Filipino officer, managed to evacuate the ship, to be picked up by the Bahamas-flagged ship Hual Asia.

A US Navy vessel is also in the area to provide assistance. The master, chief engineer and the chief officer, all of Greek nationality, are expected to return to the stricken ship to assess the situation. The rest of the survivors will remain on the rescue ship, which is on its way to Dubai.

The Merchant Shipping Directorate accident investigators, assisted by the MMA-appointed inspectors in the area, are investigating the casualty and closely monitoring the situation.

The directorate is maintaining direct contact with the tanker's ISM managers, who first reported the collision, as well as with the rescue ship.