Browsed by
Category: Pollution

Dredger Capsized on Ohio River

Dredger Capsized on Ohio River

Dredger
Photo: wtrf.com

On the night of September 10, a dredger (name not disclosed) capsized on the Ohio River near Newell, West Virginia. Local fire fighters were alerted the following morning that a dredger had rolled over onto its side and partially sank. Fire fighters arrived on scene and found a light sheen of oil pollution around the overturned dredger. There were no crew on board the dredger.

Authorities stated they were uncertain how much pollution had been released into the river, but reports stated the vessel had over 1000 gallons of diesel fuel on board. Containment booms were placed around the vessel to limit the environmental impact. The United States Coast Guard along with West Virginian authorities has launched an investigation into the incident. The owner of the dredger has contracted with a private company to assist in the cleanup efforts.

Sea Ern

Sea Ern

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

On September 1, the 38 meter long, 215 gt fishing vessel Sea Ern (IMO: 7308542) ran aground in the Izhut Bay, Gulf of Alaska off Afognak Island, Alaska. The Sea Ern had run aground off a sandy beach just a few meters off the shoreline.  The fishing vessel sustained hull damage with a 12-foot by 1-foot gash in its bow. Two fuel tanks in the aft of the fishing vessel were ruptured releasing some 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel. A large oil sheen could be seen around the fishing vessel. There were no injuries to the 3 crew on board the vessel during the incident. The vessel MS Kennedy assisted in rescuing all 3 crew from the Sea Ern.

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

Authorities state that booms were deployed around a nearby fish hatchery and some sorbent materials were being used at the site of the grounding. Contractors were being deployed to help recover the pollution while stabilizing the vessel. The Sea Ern had an additional 12,790 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of other oil products still onboard. Both Alaskan authorities and the United States Coast Guard are monitoring the situation. The cause of the grounding had not been disclosed.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

SCH 2640

SCH 2640

SCH 2640
Photo: abendblatt.de

On August 21, the 28 meter long pusher tug SCH 2640 (MMSI: 211518830) released pollution on the northern Elbe River near Hamburg, Germany. The SCH 2640 had a suffered a leak in one of its fuel tanks releasing 2,000 litres of diesel fuel into the Peute Port. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. Responders placed booms and absorption pads to contain the fuel from spreading into the river while the remaining 2 tons of fuel was pumped into a secondary fuel tank on the SCH 2640. Divers from the Hamburg fire brigade were able to make temporary repairs. Reports state the response took approximately 5 hours to complete.

The SCH 2640 will undergo repairs to fix the damage to the fuel tank.  A company has been contracted to clean up the diesel fuel.  No reports of injuries.