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Day: October 7, 2024

Banglar Shourabh

Banglar Shourabh

Banglar Shourabh
Photo: bdnews24.com

On the early morning of October 4, the 138 meter long, 14,494 dwt oil tanker Banglar Shourabh (IMO: 8508955) caught fire while at the outer anchorage off Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Banglar Shourabh was loaded with 11,000 mt of crude oil that was to be unloaded at the port jetty when fire broke out at different sections of the vessel.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard had a speedboat in the area at the time of the fire. It along with 3 other Coast Guard vessels safely rescued 47 of the 48 crew on board the tanker. A fire fighting tugboat assisted by several tugboats from the port authority to extinguish the blaze. Reports state after 30 minutes, the combine effort had brought the fire under control. One of the crew on the Banglar Shourabh perished from injuries caused by the fire.

Banglar Shourabh

Authorities have not released the extent of damage to the Banglar Shourabh. An initial report stated the fire may have been deliberate and suggest sabotage. However, the incident is still under investigation. On September 30, the tanker Banglar Jyoti exploded while berthed in Chittagong.  Both the Banlar Shourabh and Banglar Jyoti are owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.

On October 7, some 5,000 mt of crude oil was transferred off to a smaller tanker to be transferred to the nearby Eastern Refinery. Authorities have chartered the tanker Global Dignity to transport the remaining oil off the tanker Omera Legacy to the refinery.

 

HMNZS Manawanui

HMNZS Manawanui

Manawanui
Photo: stuff.co.nz

On the evening of October 5, the 85 meter long, 2800 dwt Royal New Zealand Navy hydrographic dive and survey ship HMNZS Manawanui (IMO: 9273662) ran aground and sank off the the island of Upolu, Samoa.  The HMNZS Manawanui was doing an hydrographic survey 1 mile off the shore off a reef when it ran aground on the reef.  Reports state the vessel struck a part of the reef that is much deeper than other sections known as a bommie. Due to the rough conditions and high winds the vessel most likely hit the reef in a swell causing the hull the strike the reef. The hull sustained significant damage and multiple compartments flooded. The survey ship was setting by the stern and developed a list to starboard.

Manawanui
Photo: stuff.co.nz

Unable to contain the water ingress, all 75 crew and passengers abandoned ship onto the vessel’s life rafts. Local Samoa authorities responded to the incident and dispatched rescue craft to the scene. Rescuers were able to transport all 75 people off the life rafts and safely ashore. Reports state 2 individuals sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital.  A dozen more sustained minor cuts and abrasions from contact with the reef.

Around the 7am the following morning of October 6, the HMNZS Manawanui was still visible above the water with a severe list. Dense smoke was spotted billowing out of the vessel suggesting a fire had engulf part of the superstructure. By 9 am the HMNZS Manawanui had finally rolled over and sunk.

Samoan authorities are monitoring the area for any pollution released. New Zealand authorities have dispatched a C-130 aircraft to Samoa with medical supplies, personnel and some light clean-up equipment. While no reports of oil pollution, there is a high chance of some fuel or hydraulic oil has been released.

Reports suggest the survey vessel may have lost power before it ran aground, but this has not been verified. Reports state there is some discussion if the vessel will be salvaged, but a site inspection will gather information to see if any salvage is feasible.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including a Court of Inquiry as the HMNZS Manawanui was purchased in 2019 for $100 million.