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Category: Pollution

Gate City

Gate City

Gate City
Photo: uscg

On January 10, the 123 foot long towboat Gate City sank on the Big Sandy River near Butler, West Virginia. The towboat had sunk at its moorings releasing some 1300 gallons of oil into the river. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a team to the scene. Booms were placed around the Gate City to contain the pollution. Some 800 gallons of oil was recovered from the river. Local water service was halted for several days due to the pollution.

Reports state a salvage team pumped the remaining oil off the towboat before the Gate City was refloated. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

Agia Zoni II

Agia Zoni II

Agia Zoni II

On September 10, the 91 meter long, 3205 dwt tanker Agia Zoni II sank in the Saronic Gulf off the island of Salamina, Greece. The tanker had departed from Aspropyrgos distilleries with 2200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas.  While at anchor in calm conditions, the tanker suffered water ingress in the vessel’s engine room. The Agia Zoni II sank a short time later.  No reports of injuries. The vessel’s master and engineer on board were arrested, but later released by authorities pending trial for negligence.

Authorities sent divers to confirm the tanker holds had been sealed, but a large oil slick had been released. The slick washed ashore along the island of Salamina and the coast along southern Athens. Reports state some 20 kilometers of beaches are polluted and local authorities have banned swimming and fishing in the area. Vessels and environmental crews had been dispatched by authorities to help clean up the pollution.  Reports state the cleanup has been slow and may require up to 25 days to be completed.

Reports state the Agia Zoni II lacked the certificates of seaworthiness. The vessel had undergone some repairs before it departed, but several reports state the repairs were insufficient and improperly done. Statements such as the vessel had “gaping holes” in the engine room suggests the tanker lacked the structural integrity to be allowed to leave port. Additionally, reports state the vessel lacked a full crew. The Agia Zoni II typically would have a crew of 11 persons, but on its final voyage the tanker just had 2 crew on board. This could suggest that many crew decided not to serve on board the tanker knowing it wouldn’t stay afloat.

Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey
Coast Guard conducts a fly over of the Port Aransas area after a search and rescue mission, Saturday, August 26, 2016 during The aircrews were launched to assist people in distress aboard the vessels Sabine Pass, Sandy Point, and Signet Enterprise. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi

On August 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall at Rockport, Texas. Just a short distance away, the Coast Guard reported several vessels requesting assistance or had become disabled in Port Aransas.  Below is the list of commercial vessels requiring asisstance at Port Aransas.

  • The tugboat Signet Constellation had partially sank and requested assistance. Four crew rescued by the Coast Guard.
  • The 24 meter long, 232 gt tugboat Sandy Point requested assistance with four crew rescued by the Coast Guard
  • The tugboat Sabine requested assistance.  Seven crew were hoisted to safety by Coast Guard helicopters and delivered to a nearby rig near Aransas Pass.
  • The 149 meter long, 9200 dwt drillship Paragon DPDS I was reported aground at the entrance to Port Aransas. Reports state the vessel had been laid up before the hurricane and had broken its mooring lines and drifted aground.  No details if anyone was on board the vessel at the time.