Amver tanker tows French sailboat to safety

The Amver participating oil tanker BW Nile assisted four French sailors and towed their 43-foot sailboat which suffered engine failure and broken sails approximately 225 miles east of Cape May, N.J. on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue authorities received a notification from French rescue personnel that the 43-foot sailboat Simbad had a disabled engine and broken sails and required assistance. The Coast Guard queried the Amver system and located the 748-foot tanker and requested the ship divert to assist the sailboat.

The four sailors reported two were in good health, one sailor had broken ribs and the last sailor had severe sea sickness. The BW Nile, after agreeing to assist the sailboat, arrived on scene and determined towing the sailboat to New York was the best course of action. The Singapore flagged tanker was able to secure a line to the sailboat and was began towing the boat towards New York. Because of the sea state the sailors remained aboard their sailboat.

The BW Nile was able to hand off the tow to Coast Guard personnel without incident. The BW Nile, managed by BW Tankers, enrolled in Amver on August 14, 2017.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com