Two Maersk Supply Service Vessels Sink Off France

Two Maersk Supply Service anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS) have sunk offshore France.

Maersk Supply Service confirmed to Subsea World News that Maersk Battler vessel lost two towed supply vessels Maersk Searcher and Maersk Shipper on December 22.

The vessels sunk 60 miles off the coast of France.

“The two towed vessels were unmanned. There are 10 people on board the towing vessel Maersk Battler. All are well and accounted for. Coast Guard of France has been informed of the incident,” said Claus Bachmann, COO of Maersk Supply Service.

The two AHTS vessels were en route to Turkish shipyard for recycling.

The vessels left Denmark on December 12, after they were emptied of lubricant oil and diesel oil.

“We are currently investigating the cause of the incident,” Bachmann added.

The divestment of the Maersk Searcher and Maersk Shipper is a part of Maersk Supply Service plan to reduce its fleet by up to 20 vessels.

Subsea World News Staff