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While crossing the Bay of Elefsis the 1500DWT single hull MOTOR (BITUMEN) TANKER “IOANNIS”, laden with 1,200mt of Asphalt (Bitumen) in bulk, struck onto a submerged wreck, sustaining major damage on her starboard side (a large crack of approx. 30m). As a result, the vessel capsized and sunk (lying at 90º on her port side) in the Bay of Elefsis at a sea depth of approx. 18m. Massive quantities of asphalt cargo escaped (in a semi-solidified clay-like condition) from the vessel and contaminated the wider coast of Elefsis Port from Nea Peramos to Perama and the NW coast of Salamis Island from the Naval Base to Panagia Phaneromeni, approx. 15m coastal distance. POSEIDON, contracted directly by the ship’s P&I UNDERWRITERS, acted instantaneously mobilizing her fully manned and equipped fleet, including her ODS Vessel “POSEIDON IV” and more than 1200m of booms to be deployed around the vessel and at six (6) heavily contaminated areas of the aforementioned coasts. POSEIDON managed within one day to restrain the escape of oil from the casualty. She immediately carried out a de-oiling/ pumping out operation recovering approx. 100m³ of oily waters from the sunken vessel, while the surrounded areas were cleaned-up by skimming all oil quantities and collecting significant quantities of asphalt cargo. Pollution of the aforementioned coastal areas was successfully collected and proper disposal of all asphalt quantities took place in spite of the numerous handling difficulties deriving from the cargo nature. All above contaminated coasts were then properly cleaned to the satisfaction of all concerned PORT AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES.

The delicate handling of publicity in this case was a further success as the pollution incident caused the attention attracted even to Greek MPs (Parliament) and the numerous protests made by citizens, particularly, at Salamis island.