The crew of a distressed tanker in the Gulf of Aden has been transferred from a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) vessel to a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel, arranged by the vessel’s owner in coordination with Yemeni authorities, for transport ashore.

The crew of the Marshall Islands-owned, Liberian-flagged, Brilliante Virtuoso, abandoned ship after it caught fire on 06 July and were rescued by the U.S. guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), which was operating in the area as part of CMF’s Combined Task Force 151.

Five Oceans Salvage have been appointed by the owner to take charge of the vessel. Please contact them for updated status on the vessel, its seaworthiness and future intentions.

The cause of the fire has not been determined