On September 18, the 138 meter long, 12,864 dwt cargo vessel BBC Vermont suffered an explosion while 490 miles off Scilly Isles, United Kingdom. The BBC Vermont was en route to Montoir, France when there was an explosion on board. Reports state one crew person was killed in the blast. The vessel remains under its own power and is proceeding to Montoir. Details on the explosion have not yet been reported.
Confirm reports state the following:
A second attack was executed on the abandoned 274 meter long, 163,759 dwt oil tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145). Explosive charges were placed on the deck and detonated resulting in further explosions and fires on at least five sections on the main deck. The Sounion appears to still be afloat, but reports state the vessel’s structural integrity is at high risk.
An attempt to salvage the Sounion ended in failure. Two tugs were dispatched with plans to bring the tanker under tow to a safety, but these tugs were threatened with being attacked and the salvage attempted was called off. United States military reports that the Sounion has begun leaking crude oil, but no oil sheen is visible around the tanker. With over one million barrels of crude oil onboard, the Sounion has a potential of leaking nearly 4 times as much oil as released by the Exxon Valdez (257,000 barrels released in 1989). Reports state the Sounion could easily break apart as the tanker’s integrity continues to fail caused by the damage and fires.
Reports state salvage vessels and tugboat will be allowed to proceed to the Sounion. Multiple countries had made a plea to allow salvage in order to avoid environmental disaster which prompted the policy change. No details on how quickly the salvage team can reach the tanker and if the structural integrity will allow it to be towed to a secure location. It is assumed the priority is to extinguish the fires and cool down the hull before any lightering or taking the vessel under tow.
On August 27, the 70 meter long, 1,500 dwt cargo vessel Everwin Star II (IMO: 9140279) suffered an explosion while berthed in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Reports state the explosion occurred during cargo loading when a spark ignited paint and LPG tanks stored in a forward compartment. The explosion and resulting fire took several hours for local fire fighters to extinguish. No details reported of the extent of damage to the Everwin Star II.
One crewman perished in the explosion while two other crew members sustained burns and later taken to hospital for treatment. Local police and fire authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.