Oil Tanker Power Failure: Eventin Towed to Safer Waters

A Panama-flagged oil tanker named Eventin experienced a power failure on January 10, rendering it unable to maneuver. The incident occurred near Germany, north of Rügen in the Baltic Sea, at approximately 12:30 PM local time. The tanker, carrying about 99,000 tons of oil, began drifting at a low speed.

Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies was called into action by the Warnemünde Traffic Control Center to manage the situation. Responding swiftly, the emergency tug Bremen Fighter and the multi-purpose vessel Arkona from the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration were dispatched to assist. However, adverse weather conditions, including winds at 7 on the Beaufort scale and 2.5-meter waves, complicated the rescue efforts.

To bolster the operation, tugs VB Bremen and VB Luca joined, and a specialized towing team of four was airlifted to the tanker by a federal police helicopter. By 10:50 PM, the team secured connections between Eventin and the tugs. VB Bremen connected at the tanker’s bow, VB Luca at the stern, and Bremen Fighter held its initial position at the front. Together, the three tugs stabilized the tanker about eight nautical miles from Rügen.

To ensure safety from the worsening northerly winds, the towing convoy began moving the tanker to a safer area northeast of Cape Arkona. This location offers more open sea space to minimize the risk of further drifting. The Eventin will remain here until the weather conditions improve. Regular inspections by a sensor-equipped aircraft have confirmed no signs of leaks or pollution from the vessel.

The convoy is cautiously progressing toward its new position northeast of Rügen and is expected to arrive in approximately eight hours. All 24 crew members aboard the tanker are safe, with no evacuation necessary. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are assessing options to tow the Eventin to a secure port.