At 13:14 today, a signal was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) – Varna for a cargo ship with a hole in the board and incoming water. The ship EILEEN flies the Cameroonian flag and is located in the Bulgarian marine search and rescue region, about 140 nautical miles east of Varna. The crew of 10 Ukrainian sailors had left the ship on two lifeboats.
Immediately after receiving the signal, the MRCC launched a rescue operation.
According to initial information, the vessel received a trench (was tilted) and the crew cannot control the situation on their own.
MRCC-Varna took immediate action to send rescue equipment to the scene of the incident. Aborder boat from Bulgaria, a vessel from Romania, an auxiliary ship from Turkey located nearby are on their way to the area, as well as a helicopter from the Bulgarian Navy.
The operation is in progress at this time. Rescuers carry out all necessary actions to ensure the safety of the crew, and the MRCC-Varna coordinates the joint efforts of the rescue units from the three countries.