What Crew Members Say About Hercules-500

On August 1, 2023, the Captain of the Port of Gibraltar took immediate action to suspend operations after a notable oil spill occurred during a bunkering operation. The incident involved a transfer of fuel from the supply vessel 'Hercules 500' to the LPG tanker 'Gas Venus' (IMO: 9774197) at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the southern region of the Western Anchorage, located at coordinates 36° 07.44' N 005° 21.84' W. In response to the spill, the Port Authority swiftly activated its contingency plan dedicated to fuel spill management, coordinating with the Environmental Agency to mitigate any environmental impact. Additionally, Spanish authorities were alerted about the situation. To ensure public safety, the local government raised red flags at the beaches of Camp Bay and Little Bay as a precautionary measure, anticipating potential oil leaks reaching these shores. Local bathers, boaters, and fishermen navigating through Gibraltar's waters were advised to exercise caution due to the spill, with concerns that the fuel could potentially affect the shores of Algeciras Bay as well. For visual details and further updates, you can check the report with photo at this link: https://www.chronicle.gi/gas-tanker-detained-as-port-investigates-oil-spill/