Navy rescues Greek ship

Ranil Wijayapala

TRINCOMALEE: The Navy took swift action to rescue the Greek Merchant Vessel Themopylae Sierra marooned 75 nautical miles off Trincomalee after experiencing engine trouble.

Themopylae Sierra developed engine trouble on May 19 about 75 Nautical Miles away from Trincomalee and started drifting towards the coast while sailing from China to Egypt with 20,000 tons of steel cargo, a Navy Spokesman told the Daily News yesterday.

According to Navy, there were 24 crew members including 16 Sri Lankans on board the vessel.

“The Navy provided security and technical support for the ship after it contacted the Navy seeking help for repairs,” the spokesman added.

“For nearly two weeks the ship and the crew were protected by the naval fleet units to make sure that she will not end up hostile shores,” the spokesman added.

“The Navy transported the technicians from the local agent on May 21. On completion of repairs, the ship sailed towards Trincomalee port under the protection of naval fleet units,” he added.

The ship reached Trincomalee harbour safely under naval protection on Sunday.

The Navy allocated considerable resources, both men and material, to assist the ship. The LTTE on December 23 last year forcibly entered Jordanian MV Farah III, when it developed engine trouble and drifted towards the Mullaitivu coast and later unloaded the stocks of rice on board the ship after evicting the crew members.