The oil tanker Virgo I, flying a Panamanian flag, was escorted out of Canarian waters on Monday by the Maritime Rescue vessel 'Miguel de Cervantes'. While a serious malfunction has not been confirmed, the ship appears to have some control and has moved away from the coast.

A doctor in civil maritime affairs and contributor to CANARIAS7, Rafael Muñoz, explained that the captain's decision to move away from the coast and head south, with the current, was a prudent precautionary measure. The expert does not believe the vessel was fully loaded and noted its destination was the Port of Las Palmas for 'bunkering'.

There is speculation that the Virgo I might be part of the Russian 'ghost fleet' used to circumvent international sanctions. The vessel, with IMO 9176412, listed to starboard during its approach and has reduced speed to 'Dead Slow Ahead', heading south. Its commercial manager is Adriatic Tankers Shipping CO, a company that, while not sanctioned itself, has had some of the vessels it manages, such as the Oasis II, sanctioned.