Teekay Corporation’s oil tanker Australian Spirit lost its steering power on Tuesday evening and is adrift since off the Coast of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Press informed.
The Bahamas-flagged tanker, loaded with 675,000 barrels of crude oil, is approximately 70 kilometres southeast of Halifax, the company’s spokesman Jonathan Anthony is quoted as saying.
Anthony added that the tanker was not near any other ships when it lost its steering.
Two tugboats were dispatched to the scene, with one tug, Atlantic Larch, already having reached the vessel. No injuries have been reported to the crew.
The crew is trying to repair the steering, however, should they fail to do so the said tugs will arrange for the vessel’s towing plan.
The Canadian Coast Guard said it was monitoring the situation, adding that the vessel was in no immediate danger and that there were no evidence of pollution.
World Maritime News Staff