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Tag: Adrift

Barge Disappeared

Barge Disappeared

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

On October 24, the NTCL barge broke free from its towline and went adrift in the Beaufort Sea.  The 134 foot long self-propelled barge was under tow headed to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada after delivering supplies when it encountered a heavy storm in the Beaufort Sea.  When the towline parted, the tug continued on its way to Tuktoyaktuk instead of risking the crew in the storm.   The tug was able to reach port safely while the barge was driven westerly by the storm.

Canadian and US authorities dispatched aircraft to monitor the barge.  Reports state that there where little resources in the area as ice is quickly forming in the Beaufort Sea.  The barge owner, Northern Transportation Company, has attempted to rescue the vessel, but can’t find any available tugs in the area.

Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg

Five days later, the barge was last spotted off Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. However, flights during the following days were unable to locate the barge. Authorities believe the vessel could have frozen in the ice some 10 miles offshore or possibly sank.  Flights will continue and a GPS tracker will be dropped on the vessel if it spotted again. Reports state there are some concerns about pollution as some 3,500 litres of diesel fuel were still in the barge’s tanks.

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Stena Superfast VIII

Stena Superfast VIII

STENA_SUPERFAST_VIII

The 203 meter long, 5990 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Stena Superfast VIII went adrift while in the port of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The vessel had drifted from its berth with 18 passengers and 55 crew when the area was struck by a severe Atlantic storm from the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo.  Tugs were dispatched and were able to maneuver the ferry back to its berth. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

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Simushir

Simushir

Container Ship Simushir Adrift off Canada
Photo: Maritime Forces Pacific

The 134 meter long container ship  Simushir became disabled off Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Canada. The vessel had lost power and had gone adrift.  The Simushir was just 14 kilometers off shore in bad conditions with waves reaching 4 metres in height.

Container Ship Simushir Adrift off Canada
Photo: Maritime Forces Pacific

The crew contacted authorities who dispatched vessels to the scene.  The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Spar and Canadian Coast Guard vessel Sir Wilfrid Laurier arrived on scene, but were not equipped to tow the Simushir to away from shore.   Another Canadian Coast Guard vessel Gordon Reid arrived a short time later and was equipped to tow the container ship.  The Reid attempted to attached lines to the Simushir, but each time the line snapped.  After the third attempt, the Gordon Reid halted further attempts.  The Simushir had shifted location and was an additional 30 kilometers further away from shore.

The tug Barbara Foss was requested and was reported to be heading to the scene to take the Simushir under tow. Reports state the Simushir was carrying 268 containers with mining equipment from Everett, Washington bound for Russia.  No reports of injuries to the 10 crew on board.

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