Sank - Shipwreck Log

On July 9, the 32 meter long, 154 gt passenger ferry Sri Kandi 99 ran aground at the southern end of Pulau Tekong Island, Singapore. The ferry was making a return trip from the anchored cruise ship Aegean Paradise with 45 passengers and crew bound for Pengerang, Johor. The ferry struck the rocks off the Pulau Tekong at low tide damaging the hull and leaving the Sri Kandi 99 with a severe list. Forty of the passengers and crew were able to make it shore without issue. Authorities dispatched patrol vessels to the scene and freed the remaining 5 persons off the ferry. Reports state 2 persons suffered minor injuries. All the passengers were later transferred to the ferry Camara Samudra.

Reports stated the Sri Kandi 99 later capsized onto its starboard hull and partially sank. Owners have made arrangements to refloat the ferry. Singapore authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Challenger Traveler

June 22, 2018 Paul Hancock

The 63 foot long fishing vessel Challenger Traveler caught fire near St. John’s, Canada. The vessel sent out a distress call before the four crew on board donned immersion suits and abandoned ship into the vessel’s life raft. Two coast guard vessels and nearby fishing vessels responded to the call. The crew waited two hours before rescuers found them. All four were rescued and returned to port on the fishing vessel Atlantic Bandit. No report of injuries.

The fire consumed the Challenger Traveler until it burnt to the water’s edge and the vessel sank. Authorities stated there was some oil sheen visible where the fishing vessel sank.

Barlovento Primero

June 2, 2018 Paul Hancock

On May 30, the 43 meter long, 468 dwt suction dredger Barlovento Primero suffered water ingress and sank off the port of Suances, Spain. The Barlovento Primero was dredging near the entrance to the port when it suffered water ingress in the engine room. The master and two crew members on board started the pumps to bring the flooding under control, but the pumps were quickly overwhelmed. The three men abandoned ship to another dredge that was next to the Barlovento Primero.

In just 20 minutes, the Barlovento Primero partially submerged with just a part of the bow hull above water. Authorities were alerted who dispatched a response team to the scene. They found no signs of pollution released. A beacon was placed over the site to alert other vessels of the obstacle. The Barlovento Primero completely sank the the following day. Reports state an action plan is being created to remove the fuel off the Barlovento Primero to prevent any environmental damage.