On September 15, the passenger ship QN 3016 sank in Ha Long Bay near the port of Cai Lan, Ha Long City, Vietnam. The vessel had moved its mooring from Tuần Châu to the Ha Long Shipyards hoping to avoid the winds and waves of an approaching storm. Unfortunately, the storm surge did reach the QN 3016 while it was near a wharf at Cai Lan. The vessel sank with 4 persons on board. Authorities dispatched a tug who rescued the crew who were taken back ashore. No reports of injuries. Reports state the vessel’s owners have been ordered to propose a plan to salvage the passenger ship.
On September 15, a barge on Lake Michigan exploded off Michigan City, Indiana. The barge was being used to pull in buoys when there was a fuel leak on board. The crew turned the engine off just before an electrical spark caused an explosion. Three crew sustained injuries and were taken to hospital. Authorities placed a boom around the hull as fuel was released in to the lake. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On September 10, the 91 meter long, 3205 dwt tanker Agia Zoni II sank in the Saronic Gulf off the island of Salamina, Greece. The tanker had departed from Aspropyrgos distilleries with 2200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas. While at anchor in calm conditions, the tanker suffered water ingress in the vessel’s engine room. The Agia Zoni II sank a short time later. No reports of injuries. The vessel’s master and engineer on board were arrested, but later released by authorities pending trial for negligence.
Authorities sent divers to confirm the tanker holds had been sealed, but a large oil slick had been released. The slick washed ashore along the island of Salamina and the coast along southern Athens. Reports state some 20 kilometers of beaches are polluted and local authorities have banned swimming and fishing in the area. Vessels and environmental crews had been dispatched by authorities to help clean up the pollution. Reports state the cleanup has been slow and may require up to 25 days to be completed.
Photo: yahoo.com
Photo: ekathimerini.com
Reports state the Agia Zoni II lacked the certificates of seaworthiness. The vessel had undergone some repairs before it departed, but several reports state the repairs were insufficient and improperly done. Statements such as the vessel had “gaping holes” in the engine room suggests the tanker lacked the structural integrity to be allowed to leave port. Additionally, reports state the vessel lacked a full crew. The Agia Zoni II typically would have a crew of 11 persons, but on its final voyage the tanker just had 2 crew on board. This could suggest that many crew decided not to serve on board the tanker knowing it wouldn’t stay afloat.
Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
