A UK naval vessel has stumbled on to a maritime mystery.
On 31 August, HMS Protector found an "apparently abandoned merchant vessel whilst mid-Atlantic."
It said on Twitter: "We closed the vessel to make contact and offer our assistance, but no one replied.
"Whilst investigations continue we’re unable to give you more detail on this strange event."
Maritime Bulletin identified the ship as the 1,600-dwt Alta (built 1976), flying the Tanzanian flag.
Equasis lists it as in casualty or repairing.
Its AIS name shows up as Elias, but there has been no update since last September, when it was underway west of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Crew rescued
The USCG said last October that it had rescued 10 crew stranded on the disabled ship for nearly 20 days.
The crew reported that they had enough food for two days and water for 15 days.
A USCG plane dropped food supplies on to the vessel before more help could arrive.
The USCG was at that time coordinating with the shipowner for a tug to tow the vessel to shore, but it is not clear what happened next.
It was said to have been disabled since 19 September while en route from Greece to Haiti.
The owner listed in July by Equasis is Alta Shipping of Miami.
