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Category: Pollution

Maristela 2

Maristela 2

Maristela 2
Photo: Iloilo City Emergency Responders

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.

Svanen West

Svanen West

Svanen West
Photo: gp.se

On October 28, the 24 meter long charter vessel Svanen West (MMSI: 265566860) sank on the Göta älv river at the quay in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vessel had sunk at its berth leaving only its masts and part of the wheelhouse above the water.

Authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. Oil and diesel fuel was leaking from the vessel and authorities placed booms around the vessel to contain the pollution. No one was onboard the Svanen West at the time of the sinking. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Tropical Storm Kristine

Tropical Storm Kristine

The following are vessels impacted by Tropical Storm Kristine on October 23, 2024.

ASC Big Boy

LCT ASC Big Boy

The cargo vessel LCT ASC Bigboy (MMSI: 548111381) broke its anchor chains and drifted ashore about 160 feet from Barangay Sugod. The vessel’s engines were unable to free the vessel from the beach. Reports stated the LCT ASC Bigboy released oil pollution from a puncture in the port fuel tank. No reports of injuries to the 17 crew on board.

LCT Golden Bella

The 62 meter long, cargo vessel LCT Golden Bella (MMSI: 600010885) ran aground in Cebu after strong winds and rough seas broke one of its anchor chains. The other anchor failed and the vessel ran ashore.  The vessel will be inspected by divers for damage before it is refloated by a tug.

 

MTKR Cassandra

Reports state the tanker Cassandra docked at the ferry berth in Batangas after seized by the Bureau of Customers on October 16.  The master and the 11 crew of the Cassandra have been charged with oil smuggling. When the storm struck the vessel a week later, the tanker sustained hull damage as wind and waves pressed the vessel against the quay.  Additional reports state the vessel sustained some water ingress possibly from hull damage below the waterline. The Cassandra has developed a list to port while still berthed in Batangas.  Authorities report oil pollution has been seen in the water around the tanker.

MV Xavier 1

The dredge MV Xavier 1 (MMSI: 548397700) ran ashore in Barangay Buenlag caused by storm surge. The vessel had been at anchor, but the strong winds and high waves blew the dredge ashore. No reports of injuries to the 13 crew on board.