Greek tanker in Black Sea encounters 'unknown object' — Liepāja residents assess it as life

Greek tanker 'Maran Homer' experienced as unexpected an encounter with an 'unknown object' in the Black Sea as unexpected as news that there's no wind in Liepāja during the day. The ship, which was awaiting instructions to enter Novorossiysk terminal, received the kind of instructions that weren't included in the route plan.

Liepāja port captain Pēteris, who was peacefully enjoying coffee by Lake Liepāja, commented: 'Well, unknown objects sometimes swim in our lake too — either it's some fish, or some cyclist who got lost. But we never shoot at them.' Indeed, the tranquility of Lake Liepāja is the opposite of these sea storms where tankers encounter unexpected objects.

Most ridiculously, the company 'Maran Tankers Management' announced with diplomatic precision about 'minor material damage' to the deck. That's roughly like saying it's 'slightly chilly' in Liepāja in winter. All 24 crew members — ten Greeks, thirteen Filipinos and one Romanian — are healthy, which is already better than the average situation in any international project.

US energy company 'Chevron', which had chartered this tanker, is probably now reviewing their contracts and including a clause about 'unknown objects'. Greek minister Kikilis announced that if necessary, the issue will be raised at EU level, which is about as effective as a Liepāja resident's complaint about wind — everyone understands the problem, but the solution isn't clear.