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Category: Sank

Ursa Major

Ursa Major

Ursa Major
Photo: x.com

On December 23, the 142 meter long, 9400 dwt cargo vessel Ursa Major (IMO: 9538892) sank in the Mediterranean Sea some 58 miles off the coast of Almeira, Spain. The Ursa Major had departed from St. Petersburg, Russia on December 11 and reported to be bound for Vladivostok with empty containers in the hold, cargo hatches for icebreakers and two cranes on deck.  While sailing between Spain and Algeria, the vessel suffered an explosion in the engine room. The crew had been trying to fix the fuel line to the main engine when vapors ignited. The explosion damaged the main engine resulting in a power blackout and hull damage.  The vessel’s hull had partially blown out resulting in uncontrolled water ingress.  Unable to contain the flooding, the vessel developed a starboard list.

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Fourteen of the 16 crew on board abandoned the Ursa Major in the vessel’s lifeboat. Spanish authorities were alerted and the Salvamento Maritimó sent out two vessels and a helicopter to assist. All 14 crew would be rescued and safely transported to the port of Cartagena, Spain.  A Russian warship arrived on scene a short time later and took charge of search and rescue operations. No further details on the 2 missing crew.

The Ursa Major would later sink the following morning on December 24.  Authorities have alerted of the possible damage from drifting wreckage around where the vessel sank. News reports outside of Russia state the Ursa Major was most likely headed for Syria or Libya and not Vladivostok.

 

 

Amnah

Amnah

Amnah
Photo: gercekgundem.com

On the early morning hours of December 23, the 101 meter long, 5,215 dwt container ship Amnah (IMO: 9126259) capsized and sunk in the Sea of Marmara while berthed at the port of Ambarli in Istanbul, Turkey.  The Amnah had ben loading containers when it lost stability and developed a heavy port list. As the cargo shifted, the vessel struck the dock and rolled over. Five of the 15 crew on board the container ship had to jump into the sea as the vessel rolled. Reports state the other 10 crew and dock workers were able to abandon the vessel.  One crew member sustained minor injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.

The Amnah has sustained damage, but the full extent will not be known until the container ship can be refloated. Authorities have placed booms around the Amnah to contain any pollution released. Reports state several containers have broken free and many have filled with water and sank.

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Officials have launched an investigation into the incident. They believe the vessel was improperly loaded and did not maintain proper ballasting which resulted in the lost of stability.

Neel Kamal

Neel Kamal

Neel Kamal
Photo: uk.news.yahoo.com

On December 18, the passenger ferry Neel Kamal collided with an Indian Navy speedboat in the Indian Ocean off Mumbai, India. The Neel Kamal was taking some 111 passengers on a sightseeing trip to the Elephanta Caves, an island home to an UNESCO World Heritage site when it was rammed by the speedboat.  The passenger ferry’s hull was holed and the vessel suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The vessel would roll over onto its side as it sank.

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Authorities were able to launch a search and rescue operation immediately after the collision. Multiple helicopters along with 15 naval, police and coast guard vessels assisted in rescuing survivors from the incident. Authorities were aided by several private boats along with the harbor pilot boat Poorva which was able to rescue 25 from the sea.

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Authorities report that 111 people were rescued with 4 sustaining critical injuries. Officials stated that 2 passengers were still reported as missing and 13 people perished from the incident.

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A passenger captured the incident on video showing the speedboat making high speed zigzags before it struck the Neel Kamal.  The Indian Navy has stated the speedboat had suffered engine failure and lost control. Authorities have stated the Neel Kamal was overloaded with passengers than it was rated for just 84 passengers and 6 crew. The incident is under investigation.