Paul Hancock - Shipwreck Log

On the night of December 7, the 99 meter long, 5000 dwt tanker Liquid Gem (IMO: 8688717) ran aground in the port of Taichung, Taiwan. The tanker had been at anchor outside the port when the anchor began to drag due to stormy conditions. Unable to get the main engine started, the tanker drifted until it ran aground near a dock half a mile south of Taichung. Reports state several crew jumped overboard into the water fearing the Liquid Gem would capsized as the tanker developed a port side list. A patrol vessel was unable to approach the vessel due to the strong current so a large crane was dispatched to rescue the crew. The crane hoisted the 14 crew off the tanker safely. Authorities were able to rescue 2 of the 3 crew who jumped into the sea. Authorities continue the search for the missing crew person.

The Liquid Gem sustained hull damage and water ingress in the engine room. Authorities stated that oil pollution had been released and that booms would be placed around the vessel. On December 9, a salvage team was able to seal the exhaust valves to prevent further pollution being released. Reports state there was still diesel fuel in the tanker’s fuel tanks. Authorities stated the cleaning of the oil pollution and pumping out the water ingress would be completed by December 10.

Shang De Wu Yi Shan

December 8, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the night of December 6, the 169 meter long, 26502 dwt heavy lift vessel Shang De Wu Yi Shan (IMO: 9994955) suffered a cargo shift in rough seas in the Bay of Biscay some 58 miles off the Cabo Ortegal, Spain. The Shang De Wu Yi Shan was en route to Thailand from Breherhaven loaded with two large gantry cranes. The crew alerted Salvamento Marítimo the 92 meter tall and 100 meter wide heavy cranes had shifted and the vessel had lost stability. Authorities dispatched the tug Alonso de Chaves along with a SAR boat and helicopter to assist. The helicopter was first to arrive and found the partial remains of the two cranes on the deck of Shang De Wu Yi Shan. A visual inspection found the cranes had collapsed with the majority going overboard damaging the deck and hull of the vessel. While damaged by the incident, the Shang De Wu Yi Shan was stable and was able to proceed under its own power. The tug Alonso de Chaves would later escort the heavy lift vessel to an anchorage off A Coruña, Spain.

No details released on the monetary cost of the lost of the 2 cranes. No reports of injuries.

Maassluis Collision

December 7, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the early morning of December 5, the 106 meter long, 3850 tonnes self-propelled container-barge River Drone 5 (MMSI: 205565590) collided with the 155 meter long, 13101 dwt container ship Containerships VIII (IMO: 9336244) on the Scheur River near Rotterdam at Maassluis, Netherlands. Reports state witnesses heard a loud bang as the two vessel struck and 4 empty containers fell overboard into the water and washed up on the riverbank. There were no details to know which vessel lost the containers. The salvage vessel Hebo Cat 7 was able to recover the lost containers from the river and along the bank.

Both the River Drone 5 and Containerships VIII remained afloat after the incident. No details were released on the extent of damage, or if there were any injuries or pollution released. Reports do state the River Drone 5 did have the bridge manned with a qualified captain at the time of the incident.