Tunisian rescue services, operating along the coast near Houichet in the Bizerte region, saved a Turkish navy tugboat and its crew today, Sunday, and secured the floating platform it was towing. According to a regional official, this intervention followed the severing of towing cables due to adverse weather conditions.
The Tunisian Navy, Coast Guard, and the Tunisian Ports Authority, in coordination with other agencies under the Ministry of Transport, the Governorate of Bizerte, and the Menzel Bourguiba commercial port, took the required measures to secure the tugboat and its crew. The vessel is now safely anchored in an exposed area off the coast of Bizerte. Meanwhile, the floating platform, designed for oil well drilling, remains offshore near Houichet, south of Bizerte.
The same official confirmed that the platform’s crew reported it contained no oil or other materials that could harm the marine environment. He stated that Tunisian local, regional, and central agencies are actively monitoring the situation.
The Turkish tugboat, travelling from Portugal to Turkey, was towing the floating platform near the Cape Engela coast when the towing cable snapped due to severe weather conditions, including high waves and strong currents. This prompted the tugboat’s captain to call for help, which was promptly provided by Tunisian authorities.