Broke-in-two - Shipwreck Log

Smart Aground

August 19, 2013 Paul Hancock

The 273 meter long, 151279 dwt bulk freighter Smart went aground on a sandbar off Richards Bay, South Africa. The bulk freighter had finished loading its 147,650 tons of coal at the terminal at Richards Bay when left the harbour. The Smart only travelled a short distance when its engines failed. The heavy swells pushed the bulk freighter onto the shallows. The Smart suffered a massive crack and eventually broke-in-two by the following day. All 23 crew were rescued by NSRI helicopter crews. No reports of injuries.

Authorities state they are fearing the worse case scenario as the vessel had 1,500 tons of heavy fuel oil and a large quantity of diesel fuel. Some pollution has already been spotted and clean up operations have begun.

Reports state the vessel did not have a pilot on board when it left the harbour. The vessel’s owners, Esmeralda Schiffahrts, has stated that clean up operations will be covered by the company and its insurers.

Donations to assist the National Sea Rescue Institute can be made at: http://www.nsri.org.za/ways-to-support-us/give-a-donation

South Africa: 23 Rescued After Ship Aground Near Richards Bay (theepochtimes.com)
Bulk Carrier MV Smart Breaking Up After Running Aground in South Africa (gcaptain.com)
Ship aground near Richards Bay (shippingtribune.com)

Astrid

July 24, 2013 Paul Hancock

The 42 meter long, 2-masted sailing vessel Astrid went aground and sank in the Irish Sea near Kinsale, Cork County, Ireland. The Astrid was en route to take part in a tall-ship regatta when it suffered engine failure. The disabled sailing vessel signaled the other nearby vessels it was in trouble. The vessel continue to drift towards shore until it crashed onto the rocks off the Sovereign Islands and began to take on water. The Astrid crew requested assistance with the RNLI launching several lifeboats and two helicopters to the scene. Another vessel arrived on scene and rescued 12 crew while the RNLI safely rescued the remaining 18 crew. No reports of injuries. Reports state the crew was being treated for hypothermia and shock. The other vessels taking part of the regatta were unable to pull the Astrid off the rocks. The waves pounded the Astrid on the rocks until it broke-in-two and sank. Later reports stated that 23 teenagers and 7 adults were on board the Astrid.

News | Astrid ship crashes off Kinsale coast (thejournalist.ie)
Ireland: Tall Ship Sinks After Hitting Rocks (news.sky.com)
Thirty crew rescued after tall ship hits rocks off Cork coast (irishtimes.com)

Mol Comfort Sinks

July 11, 2013 Paul Hancock

The fore section of the containership MOL Comfort sank in the high seas near 19’56″N 65’25″E (water depth about 3,000m) at 19:00 on July 10 UTC (04:00 on July 11 JST). About 2,400 containers on board the fore part of the vessel sank together, while some have been confirmed floating near the site. About 1,600 metric tons of fuel oil and other oil were estimated to be in the tanks of the fore part. There is an oil film at the site, but no large volume of oil leakage has been observed at this moment. Mitsui OSK lines have reported the sinking of the fore part to the flag state of the Bahamas, Indian authorities, and other parties concerned. A salvage team was at the scene to monitor oil leakage and the status of the floating containers.