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Month: September 2017

Leonardo

Leonardo

Leonardo
Photo: denizhaber.com.tr

On August 27, the 114 meter long, 3348 dwt bulk carrier Leonardo broke-in-two and sank on the Black Sea off Kilyos, Turkey. The Leonardo was en route to Istanbul to undergo repairs at the Tuzla shipyard.  The vessel was waiting at anchor off Kilyos when it suffered a structural failure. A large crack developed amidships and the vessel began to hog. The Leonardo sent out a distress call and the 11 crew on board were rescued by the Coast Security General Directorate and the Coast Guard. No reports of injuries.

https://youtu.be/YKrutRzdb9M

The crack increased in size and eventually the vessel broke-in-two. The forward section of the Leonardo drifted away from the stern, filled with water after several hours and eventually sank. The stern section was taken under tow and taken to the shoreline where it was driven aground in order to avoid it from sinking. Conditions prevented from emptying the fuel tanks on board immediately.  It would take a few additional days before salvage operations could reach the tanks and begin removal of the fuel.

Hurricane Harvey Update

Hurricane Harvey Update

Sabine Pass & Sandy Point
Several vessels are seen aground near Corpus Christi, Texas by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducting an overflight, Aug. 31, 2017. The vessels ran aground as a result of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.

Additional information about the vessels sunk by Hurricane Harvey. The Coast Guard has released photos of the towboats Sabine Pass, Sandy Point and Belle Chasse which were in Lydia Ann Channel near Port Aransas, Texas when the hurricane struck. Two vessels, Sabine Pass and Sandy Point, were washed ashore while the Belle Chasse sunk  in the Lydia Ann Channel. Each towboat had 2 empty barges which broke free during the hurricane. The barges now rest high and dry on the bank near the channel.  No reports of injuries as all 11 crew had been safely evacuated.

Paragon DPDS 1
A drill ship rests near the entrance to the Port of Corpus Christi, Aug. 31, 2017, after running aground during Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.

Salvage efforts have been started including refloating the of the drillship Paragon DPDS 1 and other vessels sunk or aground near Port Aransas or Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Reef Elaf

Reef Elaf

Reef Elaf
Photo: timesofoman.com

On September 2, the 106 meter long, 7583 dwt cargo vessel Reef Elaf sank off the port of Al-Labki, Oman. The Reef Elaf was headed to Eritrea from Sharjah with a mix cargo of sand and iron rods when the vessel suffered a hull breach and water ingress. The vessel’s pumps were unable to contain the flooding and the Reef Elaf began to sink by the bow. The Reef Elaf requested assistance with two near by fishing boats responding. The fishing boats was able to safely evacuate all 20 crew off the cargo vessel.  No reports of injuries.

Reports state the Reef Elaf had suffered some engine problems prior to its sinking. The cause of the hull damage was not reported.