Browsed by
Category: Pollution

Lomaiviti Princess II

Lomaiviti Princess II

Lomaiviti Princess II
Photo: fijitimes.com

On the night of June 1, the 60 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Lomaiviti Princess 2 (IMO: 7824924) capsized and partially sank in Walu Bay at Suva Harbour, Fiji. A tugboat had towed the unmanned Lomaiviti Princess 2 away from the jetty when it had lost stability and developed a sharp a starboard list. As the list increased, the passenger ferry took on water until it capsized and partially sank in 5 meters of water.  There were no injuries.

Authorities placed booms around the vessel, but diesel fuel pollution was not totally contained. A visible sheen of diesel fuel can be seen in Suva harbour. Authorities have issued a coastal warning and placed yellow buoys to indicate the boundary of the oil pollution. Reports state the Lomaiviti Princess 2 had been moored at the jetty since 2019 and had been used as a dumping ground. No reports if Fiji authorities will conduct an investigation into the incident, how the pollution will be mitigated and when the ferry will be salvaged or removed.

Phoenix Jamnagar

Phoenix Jamnagar

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

On  the early morning of June 5, the 339 meter long tanker Phoenix Jamnagar (IMO: 9828962) released pollution was unloading crude oil at a mooring off the coast of Si Racha District (13°04.225′ N, 100°46.815′ E) in Chonburi, Thailand. During the unloading a severe storm struck the area. The tanker was hit with strong winds and waves causing the Phoenix Jamnagar drift away from the mooring.

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

The tanker’s  protection system automatically decoupled the Phoenix Jamnagar from the pipeline. Unfortunately, after the two disconnected there was a leak in the pipeline system and some 20,000 litres (approximately 5 tons) of crude oil was released into the sea. The leak was eventually stopped but the process took 30 minutes to complete.

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

Authorities reported the incident has caused a 10 meter oil slick. A response team quickly deployed containment booms around the spill with one at 300 meters and another at 600 meters. A skimmer device was used to suction off the oil on the surface.  An aerial survey the next day found no visible oil pollution in the area.

There were no visible damage to the Phoenix Jamnagar or to the pipeline.  There were no injuries to any crew during the incident. Authorities have stated the mechanism performed as expected and the oil pollution released was accidental caused by unexpected stormy weather.

 

 

Ron Jeremy

Ron Jeremy

Ron Jeremy

On the early morning of June 1, the 25 meter long tugboat Ron Jeremy (MMSI: 265587130) sank in Bothnian Bay south of Rödkallen Lighthouse near Piteå, Sweden. The tugboat was towing a barge loaded with timber when the tugboat suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The four crew members on board were unable to contain the flooding and were forced to abandon ship. Three of the crew were able to reach the barge and contact authorities. A SRS rescue boat arrived on site and rescued the three crew members. All three suffered from hypothermia and suffered minor injuries. The crew were later taken to hospital for treatment.  Authorities launched a search and rescue operation for the missing crew member. Multiple SRS vessels aided by two pilot boats and aircraft from the Swedish Coast Guard and one from Finland searched the area.  After several hours of searching the area, authorities were not able to find the missing crew member.

Ron Jeremy
Photo: sjofartstidningen.se

The Swedish Coast Guard reported seeing a small sheen of oil pollution over where the tugboat sank. Reports state the tug sank in 4o meters of water and divers were being sent to help close vents to prevent further fuel being released. The amount of fuel released from the Ron Jeremy has not been disclosed, but authorities have stated it should not have any environmental impact to the nearby shorelines. There are approximately 5,000 litres of diesel fuel still onboard the wreck. The incident is under investigation by the Swedish police.