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Port Botany Collision

Port Botany Collision

Photo: smh.com.au

Photo: smh.com.au

On October 14, The 292 meter long, 61407 dwt container ship Safmarine Makutu, the 276 meter long, 67637 dwt container ship OOCL Hong Kong and the 294 meter long, 65815 dwt container ship Kiel Express collided in Port Botany, Australia. The three vessels were berthed with standard mooring lines.  During the night, a severe storm struck the port with winds reaching 126 km per hour. The Kiel Express moorings snapped and was blown from its berth.  The Kiel Express cut the moorings of the OOCL Hong Kong  allowing it to drift free as well. The OOCL Hong Kong sustained damage to its stern when it’s hull was punctured by the bollards on the quay. The Kiel Express continued to be pushed by the strong winds when it’s stern struck the Safmarine Makutu. The Kiel Express swung around and then collided side-to-side against the Makutu. Six tugboats responded to the situation and were eventually able to get all three container ships under control.  One tug became disabled by the loose mooring lines of the OOCL Hong Kong.  No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into the incident.

Death Toll Rises – 4 Migrant Boats Shipwrecks

Death Toll Rises – 4 Migrant Boats Shipwrecks

Photo: Taken by the MV Bison Express before the boat the capsized. (Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

June 27

A vessel carrying some 150 asylum seekers capsized on the Indian Ocean near Christmas Island.   A satellite phone call was made by one of the passengers stating the vessel was in distress and required assistance.   The 122 meter long livestock carrier Bison Express had passed by the boat earlier taking a photo of the crowded decks of the boat.    The Bison Express was contacted by the authorities to assist while they dispatched two Australian Navy vessels to the scene.   Another merchant vessel arrived on scene to assist in search and rescue operations.   The number of survivors were not known by early reports.

June 21

The 56 meter long freighter Jireh ran aground near Mona Island, Puerto Rico.  The vessel loaded with 100 migrants passengers was en route to St. Martin when it struck a reef.  Some 80 passengers swam ashore to the island with the remaining passengers staying on board.  Read more on our prior posting…

 

June 20

A migrant boat capsizes and sinks on Lake Malawi north of Lilongwe, Malawi.   The vessel was overloaded with some 60 immigrants from Ethiopia who were trying to reach South Africa.   Local villagers began to find bodies the following morning and contacted the authorities.   Some 47 bodies were recovered from the lake.  Three men were later arrested connected to the vessel for illegal human trafficking.

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June 19

The AMSA received a call from an unnamed vessel that a vessel had sank between Christmas Island and the Indonesian mainland.   The boat was overloaded with some 200 migrants and asylum seekers when it got caught in bad weather.  The vessel quickly lost stability and capsized sending people into the water.   The authorities dispatched multiple aircraft and rescue vessels to the scene.  Some 110 survivors were pulled from the water.   Reports state only men survived and the majority of those who had perished were women and children.   The survivors were mostly from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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