WATCH: Bulk Carrier Remains Pinned Against Greek Shoreline, All 22 Rescued – Update

Photo: Hellenic Coast Guard

Update:

All 22 crewmembers have been rescued from the MV Goodfaith, which ran aground early Wednesday morning and remains pinned against the rocks on the island of Andros in the Aegean Sea. Of the 22 rescued, 18 were airlifted to safety by a helicopter belonging to the Greek Air Force, while the remaining 4 were able to climb ashore with the help of local firefighters, the Hellenic Coast Guard said.

Three tugs are now on scene to assist the vessel, as well as at least one Navy ship and an oil spill response vessel. Some minor pollution in the area has been observed, the coast guard said. Weather conditions in the area remain unfavorable.

Video of the rescue below…

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ATHENS, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Greek authorities have rescued 11 crew members of a Cypriot-flagged freighter which ran aground off a Greek Aegean island early on Wednesday, the Greek coastguard said on Wednesday.

The “Goodfaith” cargo ship, which was sailing empty from the port of Elefsina – close to Athens – to Odessa, Ukraine, was driven ashore off the island of Andros and sent a distress signal in the early morning hours.

The captain said water was flowing into the ship.

Some 11 of the 22 crew members were rescued by helicopters which rushed to the scene, while the rest were still aboard the freighter, a Greek coastguard official who declined to be named said.

Three tug ships were also expected in the area – which is being hit by strong winds – later on Wednesday to assist the rescue efforts, the official said. (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou Editing by Jeremy Gaunt and Toby Chopra)