The work to refloat the 'Tallink Autoexpress 2' was suspended in the afternoon of Aug 7 due to a fuel leak
The work to refloat the 'Tallink Autoexpress 2' was suspended in the afternoon of Aug 7 due to a fuel leak. Work was on to drain the fuel tank and avoid affecting the coastal marine environment by oil spills. The Ministry for Transport, Public Ministry, the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (Inea), Fire Rescue, Civil Protection and Pdvsa East Refining coordinated the work to address the partial sinking of the ferry. The area adjacent to the vessel was cordoned off, and eight divers evaluated the fissures in the hull trying to seal the leak. The ship had been sidelined four years ago after suffering a fracture on the port side hull. For three years, it was anchored in the waters of the Guanta Volcadero area, where the bilge pump system was powered by electricity from a street lighting pole, but when it was moved to the Bolipuertos dock, water pumping was stopped due to a lack of electricity. Meanwhile three neglected ferries have capsized in Venecuela: In June 2010 the 'Doña Juana' sank, followed in October 2016 by the 'Carmen Ernestina'.
