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Category: Pollution

Wan Hai 503

Wan Hai 503

Wan Hai 503
Photo: Indian Coast Guard

On the morning of June 9, the 269 meter long, 51300 dwt container ship Wan Hai 503 (IMO: 9294862) caught fire in the Arabian Sea some 40 km west of the Beypore-Azhikkal coast of India. The Wan Hai 503 was proceeding to Nhava Dheva from Colombo with 650 containers when one or more containers exploded amidships. The explosion resulted in many containers destroyed with 20 upwards to 50 containers that fell overboard into the sea. The explosion resulted in a fire which quickly spread to other containers and throughout the vessel.

The fire could not be contained and 18 of the 22 crew members on the Wan Hai 503 abandoned ship. Ten crew members escaped using the no. 2 lifeboat while 8 others used one of the vessel’s life rafts. Four crew members were reported missing and may have perished from the explosion.

 

The Indian Coast Guard and Navy conducted a search and rescue operation and safely recovered the 18 crew members. Three crew members were injured along with two others who had suffered severe burns from the fire.  The Coast Guard also issued an advisory in the area for the risk of drifting containers off the coast. Aircraft were deployed to monitor the Wan Hai 503 for potential pollution released with the risk of more containers falling into the sea along with oil pollution if the container ship would sink.

Indian authorities has asked the vessel owners, Wan Hai Lines, to appoint a salvage company with fire fighting capabilities to recover the Wan Hai 503. However, the fire has consumed much of the forward container holds, the Wan Hai 503 may sink before any salvage attempt can be made.  The container ship was last reported to have developed a list to port caused by water ingress.  The container ship was reported to be drifting south to southeast and there is concern any oil pollution released would impact the areas of Kozhikode and Kochi.

OT 2439

OT 2439

OT 2439
Photo: fontanka.ru

On the evening of June 8, the 51.5 meter long, 197 dwt towboat OT 2439 (IMO: 8995184) sank on the Yenisei River near the Kazachinsky rapids in Siberia, Russia.  The OT 2439 was pushing two empty barges downstream when it struct an unidentified underwater object. The towboat suffered hull damage to its stern with uncontrolled water ingress before the vessel went aground.  The stern of the OT 2439 eventually flooded and partially sinking.  No reports of injuries to any of the 14 crew members.

OT 2439

Reports state the OT 2439 had released oil pollution into the river. Authorities placed measures to contain the pollution including an oil barrier and booms. No details were released on what object was involved in the incident. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.

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.