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Category: Grounding

Kulluk and Aiviq

Kulluk and Aiviq

Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg

The 266 foot diameter Shell oil exploration rig Kulluk went aground in the Gulf of Alaska off Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.   The rig was en route to Seattle for maintenance under the tow of the 360 foot long tugboat Aiviq when it encountered heavy seas and strong winds.  The Aiviq suffered a power blackout when its engines failed.   Both vessels went adrift some 50 miles from Kodiak Island.   The crew requested assistance with a coast guard cutter and another tug dispatched to the scene.  The tug Guardsmaan arrived and took the Aiviq under tow.   Shortly afterwards, the weather caused the towline to separate.  Several attempts to keep the towline connected failed as the vessels continued to drift closer to Kodiak Island.  A total of 18 crewmen were airlifted off the Kulluk to safety by Coast Guard helicopters.  The storm increased with 30 foot waves and 70 mph gusts as the Kulluk ran aground off shore.    No reports of injuries.

Severe weather around Kodiak Island was continuing to impede salvage operations involving the Kulluk.  Crews have not been able to directly assess the situation on the oil rig. A Coast Guard helicopter did a visual inspection of the Kulluk and found the hull intact and no signs of pollution released.  The Kulluk  had some 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil on board at the time of the grounding.
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley and an additional support vessel are standing by to assist as needed. Unified Command continues to implement contingency plans, including staging spill response equipment to the area.  The priorities for Unified Command continue to be the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment. Nearly 600 people are involved in the response.

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Jin Fu

Jin Fu

Jin Fu

The 190 meter long, 50700 dwt bulk freighter Jin Fu went aground near Maputo, Mozambique.   The Jin Fu had departed the port with a cargo of coal when it grounded on a sandbank.   No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.   The vessel was refloated and continued on to its destination.   No further details reported.

 

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Barge Ashore – Barge Allision

Barge Ashore – Barge Allision

On December 26, a barge allided with the Townsend Inlet Bridge near Avalon, Florida.   The barge had broken its mooring lines and drifted by the tide and wind until it struck the bridge.   The barge suffered little damage while the bridge’s fenders and a navigation light were damaged.    Reports state the damage is over 100,000 dollars.   The navigation light was quickly replaced.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

On December 29, a barge loaded with 400 tons of stone went aground off Hampton Bays, New York.  The barge was being towed to a nearby project when it stranded.  Local salvagers plan to dig around the barge with excavators and have a tugboat pull the barge free on the next high tide.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

 

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