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Category: Pollution

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.

 

MSC Elsa 3

MSC Elsa 3

MSC Elsa 3
Photo: Indian Navy

On the early morning of May 24, the 184 meter long, 22994 dwt container ship MSC Elsa 3 (IMO: 9123221) capsized and sank in the in the Arabian Sea some 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, India. The MSC Elsa 3 departed just a day before from Vizhinjam bound for Kochi with 640 containers when it suffered water ingress along its starboard hull.  The flooding could not be controlled and one or more holds became flooded.  The container ship developed a sharp list to starboard.

The 24 crew on board the MSC Elsa 3 had set out a distress call before abandoning into 2 life rafts. Indian authorities dispatched vessels and aircraft in a search and rescue for the survivors. The Indian Coast Guard rescued 21 of the crew while 3 crew members remained on board in hopes to salvage the container ship.  Before any salvage plans could be executed, weather conditions worsen and the Indian Navy removed the final 3 crew members off the MSC Elsa 3.  The Container ship would finally roll over onto its starboard hull and sink.  No reports of injuries.

Authorities state there is concern of both oil and hazardous cargo pollution being released from the incident. A large oil slick was visible over the area where the container ship sank and multiple containers were adrift in the water. The MSC Elsa 3 had 25 containers of hazardous cargo along with 367 metric tons of fuel oil and 84 tons of diesel fuel. Indian Authorities have deployed teams to monitor the area for pollution. Alerts to the public warned of oil pollution may washup along the shoreline and should keep distance from any containers that reach shore. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The MSC Elsa 3 had a prior incident in 2016. The container ship had struck a bulk carrier in an anchorage off Yemen and sustained some damage to its forecastle.