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Category: Sank

Mississippi Collision

Mississippi Collision

RC Creppel

On January 26, the 61 meter long towboat Cooperative Spirit collided with the 22 meter long towboat RC Creppel on the Mississippi River off Luling, Louisiana. The Cooperative Spirit proceeded upbound on the river when it struck the RC Creppel and two barges ladden with sulfuric acid.  The barges broke away and the RC Creppel quickly sank. One barge sustained damage and released vapor in the air. The Cooperative Spirit also reported significant damage, but remained afloat.

Authorities were alerted and the Coast Guard dispatched a response boat and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from New Orleans. Traffic on the Mississippi River was halted while the barges could be secured while searching for the four crew of the RC Creppel.  One crewman from the RC Creppel was pulled from the water by a nearby boat.

Authorities continued a search into the following day, but no signs of the remaining 3 crewmen.  Reports state the search and rescue operation finally ended after 67 hours of searching.  The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

Reem 5

Reem 5

Reem 5
Photo: freepressjournal.in

On January 23, the 76 meter long, 1893 dwt bitumen tanker Reem 5 sank in the Arabian sea some 100 nautical miles off Karachi, Pakistan. The Reem 5 was en route to Hazira, India from Basrah when it suffered water ingress in the engine room.  Unable to contain the flooding with the vessel’s pumps, the Reem 5 quickly began to sink.  The crew sent out a distress call and prepared to abandon ship.  The Indian Coast Guard received the message and directed the 197 meter long, 58849 dwt bulk carrier Ganga K to the scene.  The Ganga K arrived and safely transferred 13 off the Reem 5.  No reports of injuries. The Ganga K remained on scene to the monitor the Reem 5.  The Reem 5 later sank the following day. Reports state the Ganga K is proceeding to Mumbai with the 13 crew of the Reem 5.

Ganga K
Ganga K (Formerly Cambria Colossus)
Gulf Man

Gulf Man

Gulf Man
Photo: uscg

On January 9, the 62 foot long tugboat Gulf Man sank 6 miles northeast of Andros Island, Bahamas. The Gulf Man with a barge under tow departed from Miami bound for the Bahamas when it sprung a leak. With the crew unable to control the flooding, the vessel began to sink. The Coast Guard received an alert from the Gulf Man‘s emergency position tracking radio beacon (EPIRB) and launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to the scene. The helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted all three crew off the sinking tug.  No reports of injuries. The helicopter flew the crew to Nassau, Bahamas. No further details reported.