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Category: Broke-In-Two

Geroi Arsenala

Geroi Arsenala

The 114 meter long 2457 dwt cargo vessel Geroi Arsenala broke-in-two and sank south of the Kerch Strait some 50 kilometers from Anapa, Russia. The Geroi Arsenala had departed from Rostov-on-Don with a cargo of grain bound for Turkey. There was a storm in the area with strong winds and , but not severe to keep the cargo vessel in port. As the Geroi Arsenala passed the Kersch Starit the vessel suffered structural failure after struck by a five meter wave.

The vessel was able to send out a distress call  alerting authorities the Geroi Arsenala was breaking up and sinking.  The vessel remained afloat long enough for some of the 12 crew to don lifejackets and launch the ship’s lifeboat. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation deploying Russian Coast Guard and Navy vessels along with helicopters to the scene. A rescue helicopter reported seeing five crewmen in the water, but conditions prevented hoisting them to safety. One crewman, a mechanic, was later pulled from the water suffering from severe hypothermia. Additional reports state at least two bodies were recovered. Reports state the water temperature was no more than 10 degrees above freezing.

Built in 1980, the Geroi Arsenala now rests some 14 kilometers off the Kerch Strait in 100 meters of water. Authorities are concern that the cargo vessel had some 30 tons of fuel oil on board at the time of the sinking and could cause environmental damage.

Several reports suspect the Geroi Arsenala had not been sufficiently maintained for it’s advance age. Others have suggested that improper loading of cargo could have lead to the structural failure. Russian authorities have not yet stated the cause of the sinking, but have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

Tinaztepe S

Tinaztepe S

 

Tinaztepe S
Photo: egtelgraf.com

The 82 meter long, 3201 dwt cargo vessel Tinaztepe S sank off Libya at the Misrata anchorage. The Tinaztepe S had been at anchor awaiting for a berth when it was struck by rough weather conditions and heavy seas with waves reaching 4 meters high. The cargo of construction material shifted on the cargo vessel and resulted in several hull breaches. As the vessel flooded, it suffered hull failure and broke-in-two. Both the bow and stern of the Tinaztepe S quickly sank a few minutes later.

Tinaztepe S

Nearby vessels alerted local authorities that the Tinaztepe S had capsized who dispatched rescue boats to the scene. Rescuers were able to pull six crew from the sea. All six crew were reported in good condition and were uninjured. The remaining seven crew were reported as missing and presumed lost.

Tinaztepe S

 

TS Taipei Update

TS Taipei Update

TS Taipei

The 168 meter long, 20615 dwt container ship TS Taipei broke up just offshore off Taiwan. The TS Taipei had gone ashore on March 10 after suffering engine failure.  The vessel remained hard aground while salvage operations attempted to remove fuel off the vessel. However, salvage was suspended due to a severe storm which also caused the vessel finally broke-in-two. The hull cracked amidships and fuel oil was released from ruptured bunker tanks. Authorities dispatched a pollution response team to the scene along with multiple boats. Booms were placed around the pollution to contain any further oil released. Reports also state that several containers have fallen overboard which may contain hazardous chemicals.