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Tag: Bulk carrier

Meshka

Meshka

Meshka
Photo: Swedish Coast Guard

On May 31, the 180 meter long, 35829 dwt bulk carrier Meshka (IMO: 9588380)  ran aground in the Öresund near Landskrona, Sweden.  The Meshka was proceeding to Vysotsk from Skagen in ballast when it proceeded to be off course. Authorities alerted the vessel was on the wrong course, but the vessel didn’t change course before it grounded.  The Swedish Coast Guard responded with multiple vessels to the scene. The Coast Guard found the vessel was firmly aground on the sandy bottom and the bulk carrier had no significant hull damage from the incident and there were no injuries to the 24 crew members on board.

Authorities quickly launched an investigation into the grounding. The Coast Guard questioned the crew and checked for any crew member being intoxicated which all returned negative. Reports state the crew of the Meshka was warned it was off course and had enough time to avoid going aground. Either the crew ignored the urgency to change course or failed to complete any maneuvers before it was too late. Swedish Prosecutors are looking into negligence and if criminal charges will be issued to the crew.

The owners of the Meshka have been asked to provide a salvage plan that would be approved by the Coast Guard and Swedish authorities. The Coast Guard has stated they will monitor the vessel for any potential pollution and contain it. The Meshka had some 938 tons of fuel oil in its tanks at the time of the incident.

Pacific Memory II

Pacific Memory II

Cosco Development

On the morning of May 20, the fishing vessel Pacific Memory II collided with the 366 meter long, 140609 dwt containership Cosco Development (IMO: 9472139) in the Singapore Strait some 17 miles from Pedra Branca Island, Singapore. Reports state the Pacific Memory II lost stability after the collision causing the vessel to nearly capsize. There was confusion on the fishing vessel as several crew members were asleep at the time of the collision while others were thrown overboard into the water. A nearby 229 meter long, 82740 dwt bulk carrier Andros Spirit (IMO: 9592537) was able to rescue 30 crew members from the Pacific Memory II.  Indonesian authorities transferred the survivors to an Indonesian rescue vessel.

Andros Spirit

No details reported if the Cosco Development sustained any damage from the incident. The number of crew on board the Pacific Memory II was not disclosed. The incident is under investigation.

Brandweer Extinguishes Fire on Bulk Carrier Trade

Brandweer Extinguishes Fire on Bulk Carrier Trade

Trade
Photo: at4.nl

On the afternoon of May 15, the 190 meter long, 58096 dwt bulk carrier Trade (IMO: 9425942) caught fire while berthed at Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Trade was moored at the scrap terminal when a cargo of scrap caught fire in cargo hold #4. The local fire brigade was called out with multiple fire engines and fire boats responding. The burning scrap was hauled out of the cargo hold onto the quay where fire fighters would extinguish it while fireboats attempted to keep the bulk carrier’s hull cool.

Unfortunately, the time to extinguished the blaze was a slow and laborious process.  The fire could not be contained before it had spread into cargo hold #3.  Due to the high temperature, the #3 cargo hold hatches failed and eventually collapsed into the hold itself.  This prevented fire fighters to remove the scrap using a crane from that hold.

Reports state the fire spewed out large quantities of smoke that drifted over the center of the city. Authorities sent out an advisory to the surrounding area to bring in pets, turn off ventilation and close any open windows.  Due to the quantity of soot, authorities suggested that no one eat products from vegetable gardens that could be contaminated.

After 27 hours of fire fighting, the fire on board the Trade was finally was extinguished. A full log of events can be read on the Brandweer website. The extent of damage caused by the fire has not yet been disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.  This is the second scrap metal fire to occur in the port. On April 24, the Federal Tweed also suffered a cargo hold fire containing scrap metal. Fire fighters used the same strategy by unloading the burning scrap to the quay where it would be extinguished. An investigation may provide insight if this strategy can be improved when dealing with scrap metal fires on board bulk carriers.