site.btaFishing Vessel Found Sunk near Cape Maslen Nos Two Days after Disappearing

A Bulgarian fishing vessel which disappeared near Cape Maslen Nos on February 18 was discovered on February 20 sunk in that area off the southern stretch of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the Defence Ministry said. The news was reported after Navy divers surveyed the place and found the vessel at a depth of 40 metres.

Before it was reported missing, the boat had three people on board.

The Navy unit carried out only a partial inspection because of the heavy turbidity of the seawater and the underwater currents in the area, the Defence Ministry said. The inspection will continue on Saturday, February 21. The information collected will be submitted to the competent authorities.

On February 18, after an alert was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the National Plan for Maritime Search and Rescue was activated immediately, with all responsible institutions joining the operation. Weather conditions were extremely unfavourable, with strong winds, heavy seas and an increased risk of icing reported in the area.