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Month: August 2024

Three Girls

Three Girls

Three Girls
Photo: United States Coast Guard

On the night of August 12, the 81 foot long fishing vessel Three Girls (MMSI: 368140980) caught fire in the Gulf of Maine off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The groundfish trawler had departed from Boston and was positioned some 100 miles east of Portsmouth when the fire broke onboard the vessel. The United States Coast Guard received a distress call from the Three Girls stating the vessel was ablaze and all 6 persons on board (the master, 4 crewmen and a NOAA observer) were abandoning ship. Authorities also received a signal from the Three Girls EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) giving its location.

Three Girls

The Coast Guard diverted the cutter William Chadwick along with launching a MH-60 Jayhawk and the turboprop HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Cape Cod. Additionally, the fishing vessel Princess Lauren diverted to aid in rescue efforts. Within two hours, the William Chadwick and the Princess Lauren were on scene along with the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The cutter was able to recover all 6 people from the Three Girls. No reports of injuries. The cutter transported the survivors back to South Portland by the next morning.  The cause of the fire has not been released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Update: Reports that the Three Girls was lost was incorrect. Fireboats from Portland Maine were able to extinguish the blaze and take the fishing vessel under tow.

Three Girls
Photo: facebook
Olga

Olga

Iver Blessing
Photo: premar-atlantique.gouv.fr

On August 9, the 148 meter long, 18319 dwt bulk carrier Olga (IMO: 9109548)  struck the 109 meter long, 6189 dwt tanker Iver Blessing (IMO: 9588287)  in the Bay of Biscay off Saint-Nazaire, France. The Olga was proceeding from an anchorage off Saint-Nazaire when it allided with the stern of the anchored Iver Blessing. The Iver Blessing sustained hull damage with a small hole above the waterline. The Olga also sustained a large gash in its hull above the waterline.  Five crewmen on the Iver Blessing suffered slight injuries that did not require medical assistance. No reports of product being released from the Iver Blessing, but some pollution was reported.  An oil drum had fallen overboard.

Olga
Photo: premar-atlantique.gouv.fr

Both vessels were order to remain at anchorage while authorities conduct an investigation into the incident.

 

MSC Cape Town III

MSC Cape Town III

MSC Cape Town III
Photo: SLPA

On August 11, the 222 meter long, 39228 dwt container ship MSC Cape Town III caught fire and exploded while berthed at the JCT 4 jetty at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The boxship was unloading containers when there was an explosion and fire below decks. The local fire brigade responded quickly to the scene while all crew and operational staff evacuated to safety.   Reports stated the temperature below deck had reached over 100 degrees in the hold after the explosion. Fire fighters used carbon dioxide along with water from fire tugs to cool and help control the blaze before the fire was later extinguished several hours later. No reports of injuries. Initial reports state a large number of containers were burnt, but the total number of containers damaged or destroyed has not been released.

Reports state some 950 containers had been unloaded including one container listed carrying hazardous cargo. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including if any containers had undeclared dangerous materials. Most of the containers were intended to be transferred from the MSC Cape Town III to other vessels bound for Tanzania and other African countries.