The 89.90 metre inland tanker LADY SANDRA was split in two on Wednesday 25th March, 2020. A Mayday call was received by the Rescue Coordination Centre Malta (RCC Malta) situated at the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Operation Centre at Luqa Barracks around 2230 hrs.
She was seen at Istanbul, Turkey last 6th February after she crossed Bosphorus North (31st January,2020) after 50 days at Sulina, Romania (Entry at Sulina was 10th December, 2019)
She’s the former ZAANSTROOM, built in Holland in 1975 by Heermans & Zonen ,Hedel in Netherlands with length of 89.80 m; beam of 9.50 m and draught of 2.52 m.
AFM immediately dispatched the Vittoria Class SAR launch MELITA I to the area and 3 crew members were rescued – 2 Egyptians and 1 Romanian nationals.
Currently the weather situation in Central Mediterranean Sea is very bad with wind gusting to Northwesterly direction Force 7/8 causing to 4/5 metre swell.
Tanker was in ballast condition and according to AFM spokesperson no oil spills had been reported so far.
From shipping records the tanker LADY SANDRA ship manager/commercial manager is Malta Islands Sea Cruises Ltd with effect from 17th January,2020
At 1505 hrs, vessels in vicinity reported to Valletta VTS that bow of LADY SANDRA is still afloat. Meanwhile at 1530 hrs tanker in vicinity reported that no aft part is seen.
Both Aerial Images are by the Armed Forces of Malta
Other Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Thursday 26th March, 2020