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Category: Pollution

George H. Ledcor

George H. Ledcor

George H. Ledcor
photo: vancouversun.com

On August 14, the 18 meter long tugboat George H. Ledcor sank on the Fraser River between Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The tug was towing a gravel barge when it suddenly capsized and sank. The four crew on board were thrown into the water and later rescued by a nearby tug.  No reports of injuries.

A sheen was spotted over the sunken tug as diesel fuel is released. Authorities place booms around the wreck site and divers are dispatched to plug fuel vents on the tugboat. Reports state the George H. Ledcor had nearly 22,000 litres of fuel on board at the time of the sinking. 

A crane barge was dispatched to raise the George H. Ledcor from the bottom. The Canadian Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Pacific Quest

Pacific Quest

Pacific Quest
Photo: uscg

On August 11, the 56 foot long fishing vessel Pacific Quest ran aground in Monterey Bay near Santa Cruz in the Natural Bridges State Park, California.  The vessel had run ashore during the earlier morning hours at low tide.  The captain who was the sole person on board abandoned ship and walk up the beach to safety.  The captain had alerted the Coast Guard and attempting to arrange a tug to pull the Pacific Quest free. 

An inspection found the fishing vessel had sustained too much hull damage and could not be pulled off the beach.  The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation as the vessel owners have arranged to remove the fuel off the vessel. 

 

Reports state the Pacific Quest has partially broken up on the beach.  The Pacific Quest had some 1200 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the incident. Authorities state some 200 gallons of diesel is known to leak out onto the beach and into the water.

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: laverdaddemonagas.com

The 82 meter long, 361 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tallink Autoexpress 2 sank in Bay of Pozuelos at Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.  The ferry had been laid up in port for several years after a fracture was found in the hull.  The ferry had no power on board and depended on power provided by the pier to keep the vessel’s pumps working.  Reports state the power was removed eight months ago and the vessel had no working pumps. 

On August 4, the two people watching the Tallink Autoexpress 2 reported the vessel had suffered water ingress and the water levels were rising inside the vessel.  The owners dispatched a pump to the scene, but the single pump was unable to keep up with the flooding. 

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: elpitazo.com

By August 7, the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had sunk by the stern.  Reports state pollution was released as the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had some 40,000 litres of diesel fuel in its tanks. Authorities placed barriers around the hull and absorbent pads to collect the fuel spill.  

This is the third ro-ro passenger ferry to sink near Puerto la Cruz  since 2010.  The Mrs. Juana sank in 2010 and the Carmen Ernestina sank in 2016.  Four other ferries are berthed in Puerto la Cruz waiting to be scrapped.