The 37,300-dwt Byzantion (built 2007) was en route from Tunisia to Greece when it came to the aid of two distressed small boats off the Libyan coast.

Within a few hours, the Greek tanker rescued 141 people on the first occasion and 89 on the second.

It then proceeded to Messina, Italy, where all the immigrants disembarked.

Byzantion is owned by Tsakos Energy Navigation.