The Petion: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On March 22, 2022, a maritime incident occurred at the inner anchorage of Cienfuegos, Cuba, involving the tanker 'Theodoros I.V.' (IMO: 9103831) and the vessel 'Petion'. The collision was triggered by a malfunction of the CPP pump No.1, which resulted in the vessel losing control of its pitch while maneuvering under slow ahead command. As a result of the collision, 'Theodoros I.V.' suffered minor damage, specifically a slight deformation of the starboard hull plating situated approximately one meter below the main deck. Authorities conducted a Port State Control inspection and subsequently detained 'Theodoros I.V.' due to concerns regarding the safety of the hull. Fortunately, the 'Petion' emerged from the incident without any damage, and there were no reported injuries or environmental pollution linked to the collision.

On May 10, 2021, Rafael Desiderio Martínez Alonso, a crew member aboard the tanker 'Petion', was reported missing during its voyage from a Veracruz shipyard, where it had departed on May 6, towards the Cardón terminal in Venezuela. This incident marks the second occurrence involving the same vessel within the span of a year. Despite thorough searches, the Antillean crew member was not located on board. The 'Petion' anchored off the coast of Punto Fijo on May 14, as the search efforts for the missing crew member continued.

In a tragic turn of events, Juan Carlos Navarrete, a 58-year-old Cuban helmsman, lost his life while working aboard the oil tanker 'Petion' as it transported oil from Amuay Bay to Cienfuegos. The unfortunate incident occurred while the vessel was anchored in the waters of Amuay Bay in western Venezuela. Notably, the 'Petion' is among the tankers that have faced sanctions from the United States government for its role in ferrying oil to Cuba. These sanctions have prompted many tankers operating in the region to disable their navigation lights and location transmission systems to evade detection, subsequently placing the crew's safety at significant risk. The 'Petion' departed from Amuay Bay on March 2, 2020.