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Super Typhoon Yagi

Super Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi
Photo: dantri.com.vn

On September 7th, Super Typhoon Yagi, also named Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines, made landfall in Vietnam as a Category 5 storm. Yagi had winds over 160 miles per hour when it struck the Vietnam coast near Quang Ninh. The storm surge and large waves quickly impacted vessels anchored in the port  Tuần Châu in Quảng Ninh. Many vessels had been securely moored  prior to the storm landing, but many vessels were swamped by the waves. Crews did attempt to pump out the water ingress, but they were unable to save the vessels which sunk by the stern.

Reports say over 30 vessels damaged or sunk by the Typhoon.  Here is a partial list of vessels impacted by Super Typhoon Yagi:

  • Passenger Ship Victory Star, QN-8899 capsized by strong winds and partially sunk off Ha Long.
  • Passenger Ship Hai Ninh, 48 QN-6108 sunk by the stern at Tuần Châu.
  • Passenger Ship Binh Minh, 48 QN-6048 sunk by the stern at Tuần Châu.
  • Passenger Ship 40 QN-3016 sunk by the stern at Tuần Châu.
  • Passenger Ship Do Thi Nga, 48 QN-5508 sunk by the stern at Tuần Châu.
  • Fishing Vessel QNg 95109TS sunk by waves in Ha Long with 5 crew on board. All five crew rescued by a food processing vessel with no injuries.
  • Fishing Vessel QNg 95576TS sunk by waves while anchored off Ha Long with 6 crew on board. All six crew swam ashore safely.
  • Fishing Vessel [Unnamed] sunk by waves in Ha Long with 2 crew on board. Both crew were rescued by a food processing vessel.
ITT Puma

ITT Puma

ITT Puma
Photo: Indian Coast Guard

On August 25, the 72 meter long, 2156 dwt cargo vessel ITT Puma (IMO: 8116128) sank in Bay of Bengal some 90 nautical miles south off Sagar Island, India. The ITT Puma departed from Kolkata on August 24 partially loaded with general cargo bound for Port Blair. During the night of August 25, the ITT Puma lost stability and capsized in bad weather before it finally sank.

Indian authorities received a distress signal from the ITT Puma. The Indian Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter along with the rescue vessels Amogh and Sarang. The Coast Guard was able to locate 11 survivors after they had fired red flares from the life raft. The crew received medical treatment and transported to Paradip. Three crewmen were reported missing.

The Indian Coast Guard is monitoring the location where the ITT Puma sank. There was some concern that pollution may be released from the fuel tanks.

Ultra Galaxy Updates

Ultra Galaxy Updates

Ultra galaxy
Photo: samsa.org.za

On July 10, the cargo vessel Ultra Galaxy went aground along a remote part of the west coast of South Africa known as Brand se Baai.  The Ultra Galaxy had been abandoned days earlier when the cargo vessel had developed a heavy list and was in danger of capsizing.  Authorities had dispatched two tugs to start salvage operations. Reports state the vessel had a full cargo of fertilizer in bags in the hold and fuel tanks loaded with fuel oil.

On July 12, a salvage team was working on site on the Ultra Galaxy. The cargo vessel had partially capsized and several cargo hatches had broken free. Authorities state the first goal is to remove the cargo along with fuel and hydraulic oil onboard to prevent further pollution being released.  Teams are currently working the beach near the vessel and removing flotsam along with several cargo hatches from the beaches. Divers inspected the hull and attempted to seal the fuel tanks to prevent any further pollution being released.

On July 16, authorities reported the weather has improved and salvage efforts are continuing. Unfortunately, many of the hatches of the cargo vessel were open to the sea allowing much of the fertilizer cargo to be washed away. Some of the fertilizer bags have reached the shoreline, but much of the cargo has been released into the sea.

On July 28, salvage work on the Ultra Galaxy was slowed by bad weather.  Salvage teams had been able to remove 8 tons of fuel oil and several oil drums off the vessel before another storm hit the area. Swells 7 meters high pounded the vessel which eventually caused the Ultra Galaxy to break up. The accommodation section broke off before the rest of the vessel split into several sections. Reports state an oil spill will impact the immediate area with pollution washing ashore.  Authorities have deployed a team of some 125 people to the area to assist in the pollution cleanup.