On the night of December 17, the 18 meter long tugboat Theodore Too (MMSI: 316004923) sank on the Welland Canal while berthed at the Port Weller Dry Dock in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Reports state there was a “mishap” which allowed uncontrolled water ingress causing the tug to sink. The Theodore Too remained partially sunk. Authorities had booms placed around the vessel to prevent any pollution being released.
The tug was refloated on the afternoon of December 19. No details were disclosed to the extent of damage to the tugboat. There were no injuries.
The Theodore Too was built in 2000 as a life-sized replica of the Theodore Tugboat, a title character in a Canadian children’s TV show that aired between 1993 to 2001, that would cruise between the Great Lakes and the Canadian seaboard.
On the morning of December 16, the 223 meter long bulk carrier Tim S. Dool (IMO: 6800919) was refloated on the St. Lawrence River. The Tim S. Dool proceeded to Wilson Hill, New York where it went under a full inspection. Reports state the Tim S. Dool was allowed to proceed and locked through the Eisenhower Locks on December 17.
The bulk carrier had been aground since November 23 when it stranded on the Crysler Island Shoal. Initial attempts to refloat the vessel using tugs were not successful as the vessel was full aground from stem to stern. The vessel would required to be lightered of its cargo of wheat be completed before any additional refloating attempts could be made. Reports state the lightering was completed by December 12th. Authorities have stated there was no environmental pollution from the incident.
On November 17, the 132 meter long, 4190 dwt tanker Volgoneft 109 (IMO: 8230651) suffered damage in the Sea of Azov off the Taman Pennisula, Russia. The Volgoneft 109 was loaded with 4000 metric tons of mazut on board when it suffered hull failure with a crack just forward of the bridge. The tanker has suffered water ingress and pollution has been seen being released into the sea. No reports of injuries to the 14 crew. It can’t be determined if the tanker has controlled the flooding or if the tanker is at risk of breaking up. Video of the incident shows the tanker taking water over its deck with the mazut cargo leaking out into the sea.
Russian Authorities Version
The Russian federal shipping agency Rosmorrechflot state the Volgoneft 109 had been at anchor in the Kerch Strait off Port Kavkaz. The tanker suffered damage to the cargo tank, but there was no water ingress and no pollution released into the sea. The vessel had sent out a distress call due to a fracture in the hull, but the incident was “not critical”. Videos released of the Vologneft 109 suggests the Russian authorities do not want any further focus on these incidents.
Updated Theories
This is the third tanker to suffer hull damage in two days. The incident with the Volgoneft 109, built in 1973, suggests the incidents are not due to wave damage, but the tankers lack of structural integrity. Photos and videos of all three Volgoneft tankers show rust and lack of recent maintenance. This suggests the tankers could have been already close to structural failure and the stormy conditions just hastened the eventual fate of the vessels.
Ukraine maritime authorities have stated these tankers were never designed for winter storms. Another authority has stated the vessels had departed from Volgograd bound to deliver the fuel for the Russian Navy to explain why the tankers would be exposed to the stormy conditions rather than remain in port or within the safety of the Don River. News reports suggest the urgency to resupply the Russian Navy is most likely the driving factor for all three incidents.
