The Maridive-701: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On April 22, 2023, adverse weather conditions led to a critical incident involving the tanker 'Arctic Metagaz.' The towing line connected to the vessel snapped once again amid the turbulent weather, prompting the tug 'Maridive 701' to officially disengage and set a westsouthwest course. This decision came after the tug began experiencing its own mechanical problems, leaving the 'Arctic Metagaz' unattended at the coordinates of 33° 60'N, 020° 02'E, approximately 120 nautical miles north of Benghazi. The situation raises concerns about the safety and security of the ghost tanker as it remains stranded in exposed waters.

On March 30, the offshore tug 'Marridive 701' was part of a convoy working to tow the damaged LNG tanker 'Arctic Metagaz' (IMO: 9243148) away from danger after an explosion caused by a drone attack on March 3. The convoy has been making headway on a north-northeast trajectory, steering clear of Libya’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure, and heading towards the boundary of Malta’s Search and Rescue (SAR) area, approximately 80 to 86 nautical miles north-northeast of Misrata. The convoy's unexpected course has raised eyebrows, as initial plans seemed to indicate the 'Arctic Metagaz' would be towed to a Libyan port like Misrata for stabilization and cargo management. Instead, it now appears to be moving further away from such ports, raising concerns over the vessel's structural integrity and unclear conditions of its cargo, complicating salvage operations. The International Crisis Group has marked this mission as high-risk, particularly due to the environmental threats posed by the tanker amidst challenging operational circumstances. To exacerbate the situation, a severe weather system forecasted to impact the central Mediterranean between April 1 and 3 could produce winds of up to 46 knots and wave heights reaching five meters. Such conditions heighten the risk of damaging the towing lines or losing control of the vessel entirely. Further complicating the tow was a break in the towline during rough weather and strong currents over the March 28/29 weekend, causing the 'Arctic Metagaz' to drift perilously close, just ten miles from Misrata. Quick action from Libyan port tugs managed to re-establish the connection, allowing the convoy to once again pull the tanker back into international waters. By late March 30, they had successfully navigated the vessel about 105 nautical miles from Misrata, now positioned at the outer limits of Malta’s SAR zone. As of April 1, signs indicated that Libya may be relinquishing efforts for a salvage operation, leaving the future of the 'Arctic Metagaz' uncertain, especially with the impending storm threatening the area.