Browsed by
Day: June 1, 2017

Kutere

Kutere

Kutere
Photo: stuff.co.nz

On May 29, the 16 meter, 29 tonne fishing vessel Kutere ran aground on Cobden Beach, New Zealand. The Kutere was headed for Greymouth in bad weather. The fishing vessel had been out for 7 days and decided to return to port as 30 knot winds and 3 meter swells.  As the vessel approached Greymouth, the captain fell asleep at the helm.  He had been asleep only 15 minutes, but that was enough time for the vessel to be blown off course.  The Kutere had run aground 500 meters short to the entrance of the Grey River and ended up stranded just a few meters off the beach.

The three persons on board were able to send out a distress call before abandoning ship into the vessel’s life raft. All three were able to reach shore safely. No reports of injuries.  Maritime New Zealand were alerted and has launched an investigation into the incident.

Reports state the fishing vessel will not be salvaged as it was not economic to refloat it.  Work began to remove the Kutere off the beach the following the incident. Some 2000 litres of fuel and 5 tons of fish were unloaded off the fishing vessel. The mast was removed along with all the fishing gear. The vessel will then be hauled to the top of the sand dune where it will be further dismantled.

 

Crosby Commander

Crosby Commander

Crosby Commander

On May 30, the 14 meter long tugboat Crosby Commander sank in the Gulf of Mexico near Marsh Island, Louisiana. The tug was struck by severe weather during the early morning hours.  The high winds and large waves from the storm quickly overwhelmed the tugboat. The vessel suffered water ingress and began to sink. Just before the Crosby Commander sank, 3 of the 4 crew on board scrambled into the vessel’s life raft.  A nearby vessel rescued the three crewmen who were reported to be in good shape.

The fourth crewman was reported as missing. The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation to find the missing man. The Coast Guard has also launched an investigation into the incident.

Tokyo Bay Collision

Tokyo Bay Collision

Kiyosato Maru
Photo: asahicom.jp

On May 31, the 104 meter long,  4999 dwt tanker Kiyosato Maru and the 115 meter long, 6600 dwt bulk carrier JP Cosmos collided in Tokyo Bay near  Yokohama City, Japan.  The port stern section of the JP Cosmos had struck Kiyosato Maru’s bow.  Both vessels sustained damage, but there was no injuries or pollution released. The JP Cosmos was loaded with 6220 tons of coal while the JP Cosmos only had 2 tons of naphtha on board at the time of the incident. Both vessels were ordered to remain at anchor while authorities investigate the incident.