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Tag: Bulk carrier

Princesse Jessica

Princesse Jessica

Princesse Jessica
Photo: seneweb.com

On the night of October 15, the 77 meter long cargo vessel Princesse Jessica (MMSI: 671396100) capsized and sank while moored at the port of Dakar, Senegal. The Princesse Jessica had been moored at Pier 2 with a minimal crew on board when the 190 meter long, 56894 dwt bulk carrier Zografia (IMO: 9486013) had arrived in Dakar with its cargo of sugar. The Zografia was maneuvering to berth at the nearby Pier 3 when it allided with the Princesse Jessica.  The Princesse Jessica sustained severe damage on its port side with a hull breach below the waterline. With only three crew, two mechanics and a cook, on board, there was a limited response to contain the flooding. The three crew safely abandoned ship as the cargo vessel quickly listed over to port and rolled over and sank leaving just part of the starboard hull above water.  The Zografia sustained only minor damage. No reports of injuries on either vessel.

Authorities arrived on scene and secured the area.  They report the incident has had minimal impact on traffic and activities in the port.

Reports also state the Princesse Jessica had been berthed in Dakar for over 5 months and currently has no flag. Authorities state the vessel has changed flags and names several time since it was built in 1990. It has been sailing under the Princesse Jessica since May 2023 and it dropped from Togolese registry.

Alonissos

Alonissos

Alonissos

On the afternoon of October 12, the 190 meter long, 56,648 dwt bulk carrier Alonissos (IMO: 9566916) ran aground on the Paraná River south of Rosario at General Lagos Harbour, Argentina. The Alonissos had loaded some 37000 tons of soybean at San Lorenzo when it ran aground while doing an anchoring maneuver.

The Alonissos remained aground for three days until on October 15 the bulk carrier was freed by three tugs. Authorities reported the Alonissos had exceeded the maximum draft of 9.97 meters by 0.2 meters.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Pan Viva

Pan Viva

Pan Viva
Photo: kucb.org

On October 11, the 225 meter long, 75,026 bulk carrier Pan Viva (IMO:9453494) sustained stability issues in the Unalaska Bay off Unalaska Island, Alaska. The Pan Viva dropped anchor but struggled to remain stable with 58 knot winds and waves reaching 30 feet.  The bulk carrier requested assistance and had four of the 21 crew on board airlifted off the vessel.

Pan Viva
Photo: alaskapublic.org

Authorities are monitoring the Pan Viva with a tugboat and coast guard cutter on standby.  Reports state that conditions are too dangerous to provide any assistance to the bulk carrier until conditions improve. There is concern that the Pan Viva may run ashore with the potential to release some 300,000 metric tons of fuel like the Selendang Ayu in 2004.

On December 8 2004, the 225 meter long 72,937 dwt bulk carrier Selendang Ayu (IMO:9145528) suffered engine failure and ran aground just north of Unalaska. With  60 mile per hour winds and 25 foot waves, helicopters attempted to rescue 24 crew off the vessel. Unfortunately a rogue wave struck one of the helicopters killing six crew. Later the Selendang Ayu broke in two releasing 336,000 gallons of fuel oil killing thousands of birds and other maritime wildlife.  The environmental cleanup took until June 2006.