Chemical tanker ORESTINA towed back to Las Palmas after Master was threatened with arrest

Chemical tanker ORESTINA in the evening Sep 7 suffered mechanical failure soon after leaving Las Palmas, Canary Islands, bound for Nouadhibou, Mauritania, with more than 8,000 tons of fuel oil and diesel oil on board. Disabled vessel started to drift some 6 nm off east coast of Gran Canaria, but refused assistance. Port authorities ordered tanker’s Master agree to towage, under the threat of arrest. Tanker was taken on tow by Spanish CG salvage tug MIGUEL DE CERVANTES at 2015 LT and towed back at Las Palmas, she was docked early in the morning Sep 8.