The Steindamm in questionable seaworthy condition |
The GB flagged MTS Vengeance departed Rotterdam on June 29th with two hulks in tow - the Steindamm (above) and the Rana. Her first stopover is logged as Brixham and then she will continue to Las Palmas (bunkering) and then on to her drop off point, Lagos, Nigeria.
The operation is currently about nine miles southeast of the Isle of Wight making 2.6 knots. She is estimated to come within sight of me here at Maidencombe first light tomorrow.
As can be seen by the photo of the Steindamm (courtesy Jonathan S, Scheepvaart Forum) the vessel is in a questionable seaworthy condition - especially for the distance to be covered in open ocean.
Although the paperwork may be in order for the tow, questions as to the subsequent purpose of these vessels to Nigeria remain largely unanswered. Several of these vessels have been impounded by the Nigerian authorities for oil smuggling operations after falling into the hands of Nigerian warlords.
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