Browsed by
Category: Sank

El Almirante

El Almirante

El Almirante
Photo: elcolombiano.com

The multi-deck passenger ship El Almirante sank on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir near Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia. Just after the El Almirante departed from the pier between 130 to 170 passengers, there was a loud bang below decks right before the vessel began to sink.  One account states the passengers were ordered to one side of the vessel then another before directing them to the forward section as the vessel sank. Passengers on the lower decks were ordered to break the glass and jump into the water. Another account states some passengers on the lower decks were blocked by other passengers on the higher decks. A survivor stated he had to wait until the vessel sank before he could reach safety of the upper decks.

All accounts state the El Almirante sank in less than 15 minutes trapping multiple persons on the lower decks.  Several small boats nearby witnessed the sinking and rushed to the scene.  Pulling people from the water, they saved nearly 100 people.

Initial reports state some 99 people had been rescued, but 9 persons had perished.  Some 28 persons were reported missing while 24 had been taken to hospital due to injuries.

A report states that the El Almirante did not carry enough life preservers for all 170 passengers on board at the time of the incident. It concluded that several more passengers may have been saved as many had been able to escape the sinking vessel, but could not swim and drowned.  Authorities have dispatched a group of divers to the scene to search the vessel for any missing persons.

The cause of the water ingress is not yet known. Reports state the vessel had been in two previous incidents, one near a place called Fantasy Island and another off Malecón.  One survivor stated the vessel was overloaded and in poor condition. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Putri Sea

Putri Sea

The 46 meter long tanker Putri Sea sank with all hands in the Singapore Strait near Johor, Malaysia. Authorities were first alerted when the tanker’s agent could not contact the vessel. The Putri Sea had been last reported proceeding with six crew and a cargo of crude oil off  Johor.

Authorities launched a search and rescue operation. A patrol vessel from Tanjung Sedili arrived 4.6 miles off Tangjung Pengelih.  Multiple patrol vessels began a search of the area as it was near the last reported position of the tanker. The search did not find the Putri Sea. However, searchers did find a recent oil spill in the water. Authorities believe the oil spill is from the Putri Sea. The six crew of the Putri Sea are reported as missing.

Some reports speculate the tanker had suffered an explosion and fire before sinking. However, there is no official confirmation of the cause to the loss of the Putri Sea. No details reported if authorities will conduct further investigation into the incident.

Ibis Update

Ibis Update

Ibis

On June 7, reports state the dredge Ibis has released pollution into the waters off Ullal,  India.  The dredge has been slowly sinking by the stern when a fuel tank was punctured by a large rock.  There is a strong odor of diesel fuel in the air. Locals report other debris has  also begun washing onto the beach.

Ibis

Authorities had stated a team of experts were supposed to be at the wreck site by June 4, but did not arrive until the next day.

Ibis

Another report states that authorities had been instructed to remove fuel and oil off the Ibis, but could not be attempted due to weather and rough seas. Thus, no fuel or oil has been removed from the dredge.