–
–
Stefan Yanev
–
“The ship near Kamen Bryag has not sunk, there are fears that conditions have been created. Yes, there is water in the holds, but the ship has not sunk yet. What is being done is a remote assessment, because our representatives on board the ship are not nor was the ship’s crew evacuated. The captain’s refusal to leave the ship meant they hoped he would be rescued. “
This was said by the caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev in the program “Speak Now” on BNT.
“I hear that it is being discussed that the reaction of the state has slowed down. In the first days when the ship is stranded, intensive talks are held with its shipowner and the insurer, without clear information from them whether and how they will take certain measures. On the third day, our state understands that it must take emergency measures, as a result of which the Ministry of Transport activates its structures and begins to fight against anything we find as capabilities, first of all sea rescue capabilities, but in practice it turned out that our This lack of legislation, rules to comply with international maritime law has forced the Ministry of Transport team to work for several days of intensive work to find the right mechanism that is within the law and within the framework of international maritime law, so that the state cannot intervene.When it tries to intervene, the expected kt. Then the weather got worse and from now on what the state managed to do was to withdraw the fuel from the ship, which is the most serious polluting agent on board the ship. As for the ship’s cargo, we were informed by an official letter from the European Environment Agency that it was not dangerous. Fertilizers were not dumped into the sea on purpose. All efforts for the life and health of the crew have been made, yesterday a special rope ladder was built so that it can be evacuated ashore, he added.
Yanev explained that the decision not to evacuate the crew belonged to the captain of the ship, who decided that there was still life in the vessel. “A plan has been launched with the assistance of international rescue companies in such accidents. These companies are currently investigating the situation, and the key factor is the time to allow action, as the landing site is very special. It is shallow so that other ships with more “deep options are to be around, and it is impossible to help from the shore. All options such as hauling part of the cargo ashore or using aircraft such as helicopters are considered too dangerous. Therefore, their implementation has not begun.” he added.
“As a country, we have done several things. First of all, the Ministry of Transport formed a Crisis Staff earlier this week, which communicates on the spot with all international companies with their capabilities. I signed an order forming a crisis group of political ministries. they coordinate, assess all possibilities and act on the spot. The costs of the operation will be borne by the state, after which the ship will be detained after being withdrawn and the shipowner will reimburse these costs with the appropriate legal instruments, “the prime minister added.
According to him, there was no connection between the recovery plan and northern Macedonia. “The expert part of the plan is complete, it is ready, the last element is the need to find agreement on energy. It is primarily related to the issue of closing coal-fired power plants. This is a serious issue in Europe in the light of The green deal for gradual reduction of carbon emissions Our starting point is the national strategy adopted in 2019, according to which the closure of “Maritsite” is 2035. We are in talks with the European Commission to discuss a later date – 2036 “This or that will happen literally next week. Our positions are ready at the expert level, we will specify them on Monday. This deadline will be the subject of discussions next week.”
– .
