The United Nations indicated today, Tuesday, that operations to empty 1.1 million barrels of oil from the dilapidated oil tanker "Safer," anchored off the coast of Yemen, will begin soon after a support vessel arrived at the site. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly, aboard the Endeavor tanker, stated that it had reached the Safer tanker off the coast of Ras Issa, carrying a technical team from Boskalis/Smit.
The UN has launched a fundraising campaign and initiated efforts to collect $129 million from various sources and individuals to empty the oil from the Safer tanker and transfer it to the replacement tanker Nautica, which set sail from China in early April. He mentioned, "The cost of the operation cannot be covered by selling the oil, as it is still unclear who owns it."
The UN added on its Twitter account dedicated to Yemen, "Work at sea will begin very soon. Additional funding remains essential to complete the operation." The Endeavor tanker arrived today at the location of the floating storage tank Safer off the coast of Ras Issa! Work at sea will begin very soon. Additional funding is still important to complete the operation. The cost of inaction is extremely high. You can help prevent a disaster! #StopTheLeakInTheRedSea.
