Pollution - Shipwreck Log

Unknown Fishing Vessels Aground

November 6, 2024 Paul Hancock

Help us identify the following fishing vessels. If you have any information, please email Patrick.

On the early morning of November 3, an unnamed fishing vessel ran aground in Praia Grande Bay (Nam Van) on Macau Island near the the Macao-Taipa Bridge. The fishing vessel had allided with the protective barrier of the Macao-Taipa Bridge before running ashore a short distance. Authorities dispatched a vessel which rescued all four crew on board the fishing vessel. Authorities found the vessel had released some oil pollution into the water and deployed oil barriers and absorption pads around the fishing vessel. The fishing vessel did not pose any risk to navigation in the area. No reports of injuries.

On the early morning of November 1, an unnamed fishing vessel ran aground in the Corran narrows of Loch Linnhe along the coast of Ardgour near Corran, Scotland. The fishing vessel had suffered steering issues and ran hard aground on the ebb tide. The Stornoway coastguard requested the RNLI lifeboat out of Oban to assist. The lifeboat arrived on scene and arrange to refloat the fishing vessel on the rising tide. The fishing vessel had suffered some water ingress into its hold requiring a dewatering pump. The lifeboat pulled the fishing vessel free and towed it into deeper water. Reports state the fishing vessel was able to proceed under its own power to Corpach where it would be inspected for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Collision off Gibraltar

November 3, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the early morning hours of November 1, the 179 meter long, 30,765 dwt bulk carrier Louisa Bolten (IMO: 9407049) collided with the 156.5 meter long, 26,071 dwt tanker Southern Puma (IMO: 9792008) in the Strait of Gibraltar off Algeciras, Spain. The Southern Puma was headed for Bilbao from Antwerp with a cargo of paraffin when the Louisa Bolten, en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, struck the forward starboard section of the Southern Puma. While the bulk carrier sustained bow damage, the tanker suffered more damage on its starboard hull with at least one of the tanker’s hold breached. After the collision, authorities dispatched multiple vessels along with aircraft to the scene. Authorities found the Southern Puma had released pollution into the sea. An investigation found that 600 tons of liquid paraffin had been spilled.

The Southern Puma was escorted by four tugs to the port of Algeciras where it will transfer the cargo to another vessel before it can go into drydock. A boom was placed around the vessel to contain any further pollution released. Reports state some of the liquid paraffin released has solidified and washed ashore.

Initial reports state the Southern Puma had disabled its AIS prior to the collision. The Louisa Bolten was inspected and allowed to proceed on its voyage for Aliaga, Turkey. The incident remains under investigation.

Maristela 2

November 3, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the morning of October 27, the tugboat Maristela 2 sank on the Iloilo River while berthed along Muelle Loney in Iloilo City, Philippines. The master was the sole person onboard the tug having his morning coffee when he felt the tugboat tilting over. He quickly disembarked onto the quay before the tugboat sank. Authorities were alerted and found an an oil sheen extending up to 250 meters around the site. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed an oil boom to contain the oil pollution while the tug owners, International Builders Corporation (IBC) of Iloilo brought a crane to the scene. The crane was able to recover the vessel on the early morning of October 28. No reports of injuries.

The Philippine Coast Guard released an initial report on the incident. They state the owners and the master of the tugboat may be held liable for the incident. The report states the Maristela 2 had been improperly moored. The mooring lines were set to tight which caused the tugboat to tilt on the ebb tide. The tugboat lost stability allowing water ingress resulting in its sinking. At the time of the incident, the Maristela 2 had some 200 litres of diesel fuel on board.