Reviews & Ratings for the Prs-Ocean

Israeli maritime officials recently completed a thorough investigation of the oil tanker 'Minerva Helen', which had been under scrutiny for its potential role in a significant ecological crisis affecting Israel's coastline. The inspection revealed no traces of oil leaks or spills onboard the vessel, which had previously been implicated in a major pollution event that contaminated 40% of the Mediterranean coast. On February 27, the Israeli authorities officially cleared the ship, which had been docked while the inquiry took place. The Israeli government had expressed concerns that the Minerva Helen could be responsible for a significant tar spill that threatened marine ecosystems along its coastline, following reports of an oil leak into the ocean. However, representatives from Minerva Marine Inc. staunchly denied any involvement, asserting that the ship was in ballast during the time of the alleged incident. In response to these claims, the Israeli Environmental Protection Agency launched an investigation, partnering with the Hellenic Coast Guard to examine the situation closely. Greek shipowners fiercely defended the Minerva Helen, describing the allegations from Israeli officials as 'baseless and irrational', especially in light of the extensive layers of oil that blanketed the 96-mile shoreline from the Gaza Strip to Lebanon, creating a noticeable environmental hazard. As the investigation concluded, the focus now shifts towards remediation efforts to restore the affected marine habitats.

The 'Minerva Helen,' a tanker that was moored near Cartagena from February 21-23, 2021, has been flagged by an Israeli news outlet as a potential source of the recent oil spill disaster that has led to the closure of nearly all Mediterranean beaches in Israel due to tar pollution. On February 22, Kan, Israel's public broadcaster, reported that this tanker is believed to be linked to the oil spill incident occurring earlier this month. Notably, the vessel has a history of being involved in a significant oil leak; in January 2008, it caused a major spill off the coast of Copenhagen when 200 tons of oil escaped after a hose burst during the loading process. The Greek firm that operates the 'Minerva Helen' has firmly denied any connection to the alleged spill off the Israeli coast, as well as to the previous occurrence in Denmark. A cabinet meeting held on February 22 aimed at discussing emergency funding for cleanup efforts was marred by political disputes, culminating in the Finance Ministry withholding approval for the Environmental Protection Ministry’s financial requests. The session ended without any resolutions, with expectations of a follow-up phone vote on February 23. Reports about the coastal pollution began surfacing on February 18, following the discovery of a deceased 17-meter baby fin whale and other marine wildlife washed ashore along Israel’s southern coastline. By February 21, the government had issued advisories urging the public to steer clear of all Mediterranean beaches, given the pervasive contamination. The affected areas remain heavily polluted, particularly along the rocky shorelines, indicating that a prolonged effort will be necessary to eliminate the tar buildup — especially in the abrasion platforms that provide habitat for diverse marine life. These platforms are made of bedrock, extending from coastal cliffs into the shallow waters.