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Category: Explosion

Sounion

Sounion

Sounion
Photo: x.com

On August 21, the 274 meter long, 163,759 dwt oil tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145) caught fire in the Red Sea some 77 nautical miles off Hodeidah, Yeman. The Sounion was enroute to Iraq  with 150,000 tons of crude oil when it was approached by two small vessels off Yemen. The vessels approached the tanker within a few miles before they turned away after an exchange of small arms fire. Soon after the Sounion was struck by multiple projectiles resulting in explosions and fire on board the tanker. Reports state the engine room sustained material damage disabling the steering. The Sounion went adrift for a short time before the crew was later able to drop anchor.

Sounion
Photo: x.com

 

Conflicting reports state the crew of 25 on board the Sounion remained on board the tanker to assess damage.  However, there are reports that the crew had abandoned ship in the vessel’s lifeboat and was rescued by the nearby vessel. This same report stated the crew was later transported to Dijbouti.  No reports of the extent of damage caused by the projectiles on board the Sounion or if any oil pollution had been released.

The attack on the Sounion was not an isolated event.  The 190 meter long, 55989 dwt bulk carrier SW North Wind (IMO: 9514004) reported five explosions near the vessel while 57 miles off Aden. The explosions did not cause any damage and there were no reports of injuries. The bulk carrier was able to continue on its voyage.

Sounion

 

Mariah K

Mariah K

Mariah K
Photo: facebook

On August 13, the fishing vessel Mariah K caught fire 50 nautical miles off Brookings, Oregon. The fire was started after an explosion in the engine room. All three crew on board abandoned ship and later rescued by the charter vessel Eli’s Tide. The Coast Guard was alerted by the Eli’s Tide and dispatched the 47 motor lifeboat along with a helicopter to the scene. Two crew of the Mariah K were transferred to the lifeboat, but one crewman was airlifted by the Coast Guard helicopter and taken to hospital in San Francisco. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

MSC Cape Town III

MSC Cape Town III

MSC Cape Town III
Photo: SLPA

On August 11, the 222 meter long, 39228 dwt container ship MSC Cape Town III caught fire and exploded while berthed at the JCT 4 jetty at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The boxship was unloading containers when there was an explosion and fire below decks. The local fire brigade responded quickly to the scene while all crew and operational staff evacuated to safety.   Reports stated the temperature below deck had reached over 100 degrees in the hold after the explosion. Fire fighters used carbon dioxide along with water from fire tugs to cool and help control the blaze before the fire was later extinguished several hours later. No reports of injuries. Initial reports state a large number of containers were burnt, but the total number of containers damaged or destroyed has not been released.

Reports state some 950 containers had been unloaded including one container listed carrying hazardous cargo. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including if any containers had undeclared dangerous materials. Most of the containers were intended to be transferred from the MSC Cape Town III to other vessels bound for Tanzania and other African countries.