Abandoned Tanker Washed Up On Liberia Beach Causes Concern

The appearance of an oil tanker, washed up and grounded on the shores of Liberia in west Africa with no crew or life boats, remains a mystery and a security concern. The Maritime Executive reports: The ship was abandoned when discovered by local residents, leading to speculation (but no confirmed reports) regarding the crew’s whereabouts. Farbric Radio reports that fishermen had spotted the vessel near the town of Taililor on Monday, and had not seen either crew or lifeboats aboard; the station said that she may have already been abandoned at the time she went aground. On Thursday, a task force from Liberia National Police (LNP), the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization inspected the vessel and gathered information from residents of Fanti Town, Robertsport. But Liberia’s Daily Observer reported Friday that authorities did not officially respond to the grounding and secure the scene until late Wednesday evening – raising questions for the local community about the preparedness of security forces. “That it took [so long] before they knew about the ship’s presence, is troubling,” said one Robertsport resident. In the time period between the grounding and the arrival of authorities, the vessel may have been looted. [...]