Oil tanker refloated off St Kitts

BASSETERRE, St Kitts – The Turkish-flagged oil tanker Azra-S, which was grounded as a result of heavy seas two weeks ago, has been refloated and will discharge its cargo over the weekend.
The 344-tanker with 18 000 barrels of diesel onboard was refloated with the assistance of the St Croix-based tugboat Storm and divers who inspected the vessel found no damage to the hull and propeller.
Director of Maritime Affairs Mc Clean Hobson said measures had been taken to protect the environment from any oil spill.
He said booms were placed around the tanker to contain any spill.
The Azra-S was built in 2007 and has two hulls to help safeguard its cargo. If the outer hull is breached, the inner one keeps the oil in place, officials said. (CMC)