Tanker “Agia Zoni II” had never been surveyed and does not hold any certificate of seaworthiness by the Hellenic Register of Shipping (HRS), the body said in a statement on Thursday.
The HRS statement reads:
“Concerning the dissemination of unsubstantiated rumors on the tanker ‘Agia Zoni II’, the HRS informs that the tanker in question has not been surveyed and does not hold any certificate of seaworthiness issued by the Hellenic Register of Shipping.”
Hellenic Register of Shipping was founded in 1919 and is active in the industry inspections and certifications of facilities and equipment as well as the Certification of Management Systems.
The tanker loaded with 2,500 tones of fuel oil (mazut) and marine gas sank off the island of Salamina on Sunday spilling unknown number of tones into the Saronic Gulf , polluting the sea and the coastline of Salamina,Piraeus and the Athens Riviera.
The tanker owner had told media that the ship had undergone inspection 1.5-2 months ago. However, he did not say which body had issued the certificate.
The Greek Coast Guard said later that according to legislation Agia Zoni II did not required control and certification by the HRS.
Ioannis Zikas, Director of Ships Sector Control at the Shipping Ministry said ” all certificates had been issued and were in force by the Ships Sector Control until 27. Sept 2017.”
