After an inspection by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the authorities in Greece, Minerva Helen was ruled out as the source of the pollution • "Committed to making every effort to locate the ship responsible"
The Ministry of Environmental Protection updated that after the Minerva Helen tanker inspection, it was cleared of suspicion of involvement in the serious tar incident off the coast of Israel.
A team of investigators led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection yesterday (Saturday) inspected the tanker at the port of Piraeus, Greece.
Following an inspection carried out by the Ministry's inspector and an inspector from the Israeli Shipping and Ports Authority, the ship was finally rejected as the source of the pollution.
The investigation was carried out in full cooperation with the Greek authorities, and the arrival of the special staff from the Ministry of Environmental Protection was coordinated in advance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Embassy in Greece.
The Greek Coast Guard also took part in the inspection of the ship.
Tar in the Shikmona Reserve // Itai Srenzel Nature and Parks Authority
Israel Today was also told by Minerva Helen that the ship could not have been the source of the pollution because "Michalit did not have cargo (oil) on board - it was completely empty. The ship is reported to have arrived from Singapore via the Suez Canal. , And waited for orders from February 4th to 11th.
According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, it has identified about 10 potential ships that may be suspicious, and has since expanded the circle of suspicious ships to dozens.
To date, the ministry has looted about 10 ships that may be the source of the tar contamination.
The ministry continues to inspect the other suspected ships as well, and will update later as the investigation progresses.
Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel said that "we are committed to making every effort to locate the ship responsible for polluting the shores of Israel. We have a moral obligation to the public, animals and nature that were harmed as a result of the pollution. This pollution has an address - we will not move on to environmental crime. "We will take all measures to locate the offender."
Tar Contamination Disaster: IDF Soldiers and Volunteers at Hof Hasharon National Park // Photo: Roi Strauss, Nature and Parks Authority
Yesterday (Saturday) the crews of the 200th Squadron of the UAV (remotely manned aircraft) "Trail" from the Air Force in the middle of the sea detected the new oil slick approaching the shores of Israel, located 150 km west of them.
Earlier, Defense Minister Bnei Gantz approved the use of Air Force drones to locate the stain, at the request of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
According to the initial test completed yesterday, which includes models carried out by the ministry together with the Institute for Marine and Lake Research, the stain is not expected to reach the shores of Israel at least until the visible forecast range (March 1).
In addition, no notification was received from any international body about the presence of the stain and the ministry reported to REMPEC in Malta (the Mediterranean Coordination Center for the Treatment of Marine Oil Pollution) on the findings so far.
