Update: Scorched Spanish Ferry Towed to Sagunto

The Spanish ferry Sorrento, that had caught fire off Mallorca on April 28, arrived at the Port of Sagunto north of Valencia around 6 pm local time yesterday, following a 24-hour tow and escort from the waters of the Balearic Islands, Spain’s maritime rescue service Salvamento Maritimo reported.

The plan to tow the ferry to Sagunto was presented to the authorities by the owner of the vessel, Italy’s Grimaldi Group.

Once docked, the authorities started unloading the ferry and placing the pontoons around it. The Port of Valencia Authority has estimated that it will take around two weeks to unload and secure the vessel.

The authorities also plan to inspect the ship to determine possible causes of the fire.

Local residents have expressed their discomfort with the fact that the boat was transported to the port and not left in Mallorca, for fear that it could lead to contamination, or negatively affect local tourism.

One of the local residents remarked that the Port of Sagunto has become a “graveyard” for vessels which are out of use.

World Maritime News Staff; Image: Salvamento Maritimo