„Maritime Administration“ is checking nine ships that were on a raid last night to see if they caused the pollution on the coast in Varna. This was stated at a press conference by the director of the service, Capt. Valentin Enchev. The signal about the presence of fuel oil pollution on the sand between the second and third bunkers was submitted to the Rescue Center this morning. Inspectors from the administration immediately carried out an inspection on water and on land and found pollution with substances of oil origin.
There is no pollution on the water surface, Enchev added. He emphasized that such data is also missing from the satellite monitoring photos.
The director of the „Maritime Administration“ added that the nine ships are being checked one after the other, and their arrangement is based on a previously made risk assessment. One of the vessels is a tanker.
It cannot be categorically stated that the pollution was caused by a ship, Enchev also said. According to him, other institutions in Varna are also checking potential pollutants located on the shore. If it is established that one of the vessels is at fault, the administrative fine is up to 150,000 leva, he added. According to him, the cause would be either a fuel leak or sediment.
The regional governor is coordinating the cleaning of the shore, which is already underway, the captain said. The pollution, which is along a length of about 200-250 meters, will be removed by hand.