ARAS Salvage completed on Wednesday, at around 14:35, the first stage of the operation to raise the tugboat that sank near Midia Port in March, from a depth of 26 metres, roughly 8 kilometres offshore in the Black Sea, Midia Marine Terminal announced.

According to the company, the intervention now continues with pumping out the water inside the vessel, a process expected to take up to 12 hours. The water is being removed using specialised pumps inserted without accessing the vessel's interior, which remains secured.

'This morning, during preparations to lift the tug, ARAS Salvage divers identified the body of one of the missing colleagues, which was subsequently recovered and transferred to Midia Port, in compliance with safety procedures and the requirements of the investigative authorities,' the statement said, adding that the same procedures will apply throughout the refloating operation in the case of the other two sailors who are still missing.

The tugboat is expected to be brought to the quay by the end of the week, with the company noting that the contractor's estimates are indicative and may change depending on operational progress, weather conditions and applicable safety requirements.

The Astana tugboat, operated by Midia Marine Terminal, sank on March 18 during assistance manoeuvres for an oil tanker at the offshore terminal in Midia Port. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Tilica; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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