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Author: Paul Hancock

Verdel

Verdel

On the afternoon of September 3, the 74 meter long, 1400 dwt fishing vessel Verdel (IMO: 8512657) caught fire in the South Atlantic Ocean at Mar del Plata, Argentina. Nearby witnesses spotted smoke billowing from the Verdel and attempted to spray water into the vessel. The local fire brigade was alerted and arrived on scene a short time later.

The fire fighters boarded the Verdel and found the source of the fire.  The fire was coming from the starboard bow and had spread through multiple compartments and passageway to the main deck. It would take several hours of intense work  before the fire fighters extinguished the blaze.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the possible cause of the fire. No reports of injuries.

 

Jade

Jade

Jade

On the morning of September 3, the 89 meter long, 3587 dwt cargo/container vessel Jade (IMO: 9411769) ran aground on the Ghent Terneuzen Canal near Sas van Gent, Netherlands. The Jade was headed to Ghent from Bilbao when it stranded in the canal near the bridge at Sas van Gent. Multiple tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the cargo vessel the same day. Two of the 3 tugs involved escorted the Jade to Ghent. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The cause of the grounding was not disclosed, but there is speculation the Jade had suffered either engine or steering failure before the incident.

Sea Ern

Sea Ern

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

On September 1, the 38 meter long, 215 gt fishing vessel Sea Ern (IMO: 7308542) ran aground in the Izhut Bay, Gulf of Alaska off Afognak Island, Alaska. The Sea Ern had run aground off a sandy beach just a few meters off the shoreline.  The fishing vessel sustained hull damage with a 12-foot by 1-foot gash in its bow. Two fuel tanks in the aft of the fishing vessel were ruptured releasing some 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel. A large oil sheen could be seen around the fishing vessel. There were no injuries to the 3 crew on board the vessel during the incident. The vessel MS Kennedy assisted in rescuing all 3 crew from the Sea Ern.

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

Authorities state that booms were deployed around a nearby fish hatchery and some sorbent materials were being used at the site of the grounding. Contractors were being deployed to help recover the pollution while stabilizing the vessel. The Sea Ern had an additional 12,790 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of other oil products still onboard. Both Alaskan authorities and the United States Coast Guard are monitoring the situation. The cause of the grounding had not been disclosed.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.