Spanish maritime authorities have taken action to tow a ship that was reportedly abandoned by its owners in the Strait of Gibraltar. Local media sources indicate that the vessel, a 5,800 dwt coastal freighter named Marine I, has been adrift for ten days without propulsion. The crew is facing dire conditions, lacking fuel, water, and food, while the ship has experienced significant mechanical issues.
The Maritime Captaincy for the Port of Malaga confirmed that a tugboat, Luz De Mar, has been dispatched to tow the Marine I to safety in Malaga. This decision was made to protect both the ship and its crew, as reported by Spanish outlet Sur.
The Marine I, built in 1994, is manned by a diverse crew of 17 seafarers from countries including Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ghana, Montenegro, Nigeria, and Ukraine. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the crew members are owed two months of back pay. The ship’s owner, based in the UAE, also oversees another vessel, the Sundry, which shares a history of deficiencies similar to those of the Marine I.
