Ulysse Heads to Port Day After Detaching from Containership in the Mediterranean

The CSL Virginia pictured October 12, 2018. Photo: Marine Nationale

The roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Ulysse has set sail for Tunisia after the vessel was cleared to leave the scene of its collision with a containership off the coast of Corsica in the Mediterranean last Sunday.

The two ships became detached late Thursday evening for the first time since the incident. With the vessels seperated, we’re now getting our first good look at some of the damage to the vessels.

The containership, the CSL Virginia, remains in place, at anchor surrounded by anti-pollution boom as the owner makes preparations for her transit to a shipyard.

Pockets of thick fuel oil are continuing to be tracked and cleaned up by anti-pollution vessels.

The Tunisian ferry Ulysse collided with the anchored CSL Virgnia early last Sunday morning as the Ulysse sailed from Genoa, Italy to Rades in Tunisia. The collision resulted in the ferry penetrating the hull of the containership, causing a large breach of the hull and resulting in the release of fuel oil.

An investigation to determine the cause of the collision is underway.