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Month: February 2020

Aydın Kaptan 2

Aydın Kaptan 2

Aydın Kaptan 2
Photo: turkdeniz.com

The 74 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Aydın Kaptan 2 ran aground in the Dardanelles off Çardak, Turkey. The Aydın Kaptan 2 had left the dock with 30 passengers and 10 vehicles bound for Gallipoli. The ferry only traveled some 10 meters from the pier when it stranded on a sandbar. Local authorities dispatched a lifeboat to the scene and found the ferry undamaged. Four passengers were evacuated and taken back to port. The rest of the passengers remained on board until the Aydın Kaptan 2.  The tug, Arab Kamil, pulled the Aydın Kaptan 2 off the sandbar several hours later. Both vessels proceeded back to Çardak.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Piz Ela

Piz Ela

Piz Ela
Photo: wormser-zeitung.de

The 86 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Piz Ela collided a barge on the Rhine near Eich, Germany.  The Piz Ela wsa proceeding from Mainz with a cargo of caustic soda when it struck a barge loaded with gravel. The gravel barge sustained heavy damage and suffered water ingress at the bow. The Piz Ela sustained hull damage, but no release of the cargo.  The local fire brigades were alerted and arrived on scene to find the gravel barge partially sunk.  Dewatering pumps were deployed and kept the gravel barge afloat. Rescuers found the master of the Piz Ela was slightly injured by the collision and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities were able to place temporary patches on both vessels. Another barge arrived to help lighter the gravel cargo.  Reports state the master of the Piz Ela had no license and lack the necessary number of crew on board to operate. The tanker-barge was detained until a licensed master could take over the voyage. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Stella Banner Update

Stella Banner Update

Stellar Banner
Photo: mk.co.kr

Reports state the Stella Banner had struck bottom when it exited the port of Ponta da Madeira, Brazil resulting in hull cracks and breaches near the bow.  The Stella Banner struck a shallow area near buoy 1 in the São Marcos Bay channel.  Authorities say over 5,000 tons of seawater has ingress into the vessel’s cargo holds.

Reports state the company Ardent Global was contracted to create a salvage plan. The hopes were to have any salvage begin as soon as possible. The Navy has reported the ore carrier is still releasing diesel fuel / fuel oil into the water. The Navy has dispatched a tug with dispersants to help mitigate the pollution released.  Vale has also reached out to Petrobras for help containing the pollution.