Greek-flagged bulk carrier, suspected of pollution, diverted to French port

BREST, France (AFP) Jul 07, 2004
A Greek-flagged bulk carrier was ordered to head for the port of Brest in western France Wednesday after it was suspected of polluting the sea off the Brittany coast, authorities said.

The 225-meter-long (680-foot) Diamantis Captain, registered in Greece's main port of Piraeus, was spotted by a French Navy aircraft early Wednesday trailing a slick 2.8 kilometers (1.8 mile) long and 30 meters (90 feet) wide some 330 kilometers (210 miles) southwest of the Brittany coast.

The vessel was en route to the Moroccan port of Jorf Lasfar from the Polish border town of Swinoujscie.

French authorities said they had photographic evidence of the marine pollution and said the captain of the carrier would have to post bond before being allowed to continue his voyage.

TERRA.WIRE