Sanchi's Black Box Opened

The black boxes for the tanker Sanchi and the freighter CF Crystal, the two vessels that collided in the worst oil ship disaster in decades, have been opened, ISNA reported on Wednesday. Officials from China, Iran and Panama were present when the black boxes were opened, Hadi Haqshenas, maritime affairs deputy at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, was quoted as saying by ISNA, Reuters reported.  The report did not say where that happened. “Clarifying the ultimate results of the deciphering process takes time and it could take months,” Haqshenas said. Sanchi collided with CF Crystal about 160 nautical miles off the coast of China near Shanghai on Jan. 6. The Panama-registered tanker was sailing from Iran to South Korea, carrying 136,000 tons of condensate equivalent to just under 1 million barrels, worth about $60 million. Sanchi sank on Jan. 14 after burning for several days. The entire crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis are presumed dead.