On the night of January 11, the 119 meter long drilling rig/oil platform Ocean Valiant (IMO: 8753330) ran aground in the Mediterranean Sea at Dherwa beach 20 kilometers west of Bizerte, Tunisia. The Ocean Valiant was being towed by a offshore supply vessel Maersk Tracer (IMO: 9388613) from Scotland bound for Turkey when rough weather caused the towline to break. Unable to reattach the towline, the Ocean Valiant drifted until it went ashore.
Authorities state the grounding of the oil platform did not cause any damage, pollution or injuries.
Reports state that bad weather has delayed pulling the Ocean Valiant off the beach. Built in 1988, the oil platform is owned by Diamond Offshore and was en route to Turkey to be scrapped.
On the early morning of January 6, the 30 meter long, 80 gt fishing vessel Ohama Maru No. 8 (IMO: 2694609) capsized 31 kilometers east of Kitaibaraki, Japan. The fishing vessel with 20 crew on board was fishing for sardines assisted by two other vessels. As the Ohama Maru No. 8 was hauling in the catch along its starboard hull, it lost stability and began to list. Even with another vessel connected a line to the port side and pulling at full speed, the the Ohama Maru No. 8 to further list. The crew attempted to cut the net to release the fish and restore stability, but it was too late and the fishing vessel capsized.
After being thrown overboard, 15 of the 20 crew were rescued from the water. Two additional crew members were later recovered, but they had perished during the incident. Three crew were reported as missing. The Japan Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation with four patrol vessels and a helicopter searching the area. The Coast Guard stated the vessel sank in over 200 meters of water and was too deep for divers to inspect the hull.
Photo: www.yomiuri.co.jp
Reports state the Ohama Maru No. 8 had been able to haul in large catches in the past. One of the crew stated the catch was roughly 300 tons and the fishing vessel had brought in safely catches over 500 tons.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the police are considering charges of professional negligence resulting in death and a possibility of neglect in safety management. Reports state there is a large oil sheen visible above the wreck. No word if the vessel would be recovered or if there would be attempts to secure the fuel tanks.
On the afternoon of December 31, 2024, the two-masted 34 meter long, 396 gt passenger ketch sailing vessel Ocean Pure 1 (MMSI: 525401533) caught fire in the Halmahera Sea while anchored off Waigeo Island, Indonesia. The fire started by an electrical short behind the dryer in the laundry room. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but the fire had become uncontrollable. The vessel sent out a distress call and all the 18 crew and 10 passengers on board abandoned ship into the vessel’s lifeboats. The crew and passengers safely landed on the shore of Yefinat Island. One crew had sustained severe burns from the fire and was later evacuated by authorities to a hospital in Waisai.
The fire completely consumed the Ocean Pure 1 as it burned to the waterline. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
