Browsed by
Category: Pollution

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.
Akhisar

Akhisar

Akhisar
Photo: salvamentomaritimo.es

On September 4, the 116 meter long, 8081 dwt cargo vessel Akhisar released pollution while berthed at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The Akhisar was being refueled with bunker oil when there was a leak releasing some 3 tons of low sulfur oil into the water. Authorities report an oil sheen covering some 2.5 kilometers long and over 400 meter wide. Authorities closed several beaches due to the pollution. A response team was dispatched to contain the oil and begin cleaning operations.  No reports of injuries.

The Akhisar was allowed to leave port on September 7 on its voyage to Praia, Cape Verde.

 

Update Sounion

Update Sounion

Sounion
Photo: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES

August 21

Confirm reports state the following:

  • The Sounion was impacted by three projectiles on the starboard quarter damaging the engine room
  • A fire in the engine room had been contained, but the fire and explosion had caused a power blackout on the tanker
  • The crew was able to abandon ship with one crew member sustaining a minor injury
  • The Sounion was able to drop anchor

August 23

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.

August 28

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.

August 29

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.