The 316 meter long, 90000 dwt container ship MOL Contribution caught fire while berthed in Oakland, California. The fire started in the upper decks inside the third officer’s cabin. Local firefighters were requested and were able to extinguished the blaze in the narrow passageways. No reports of injuries to the 20 persons on board. The MOL Contribution sustained smoke and fire damage to its superstructure including the officers sleeping quarters. Reports state the fire started when an electrical equipment overheated. The MOL Contribution was being loaded for a voyage to Hong Kong. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 110 foot long maintenance barge partially sank at it’s berth in Long Beach, California. The barge suffered water ingress and developed a list. Local crews were able to shut off the diesel fuel flow to the barge. No reports of pollution released. Authorities placed booms around the barge to contain any pollution. Reports state salvage crews will attempt to refloat and stabilize the barge while divers inspect the hull for leaks. The barge is used as a fueling station for the ferry Catalina Express which services between Long Beach and Santa Catalina Island.
The 38 foot vessel Paloma washed ashore off Ocean Beach near San Francisco, California. The master of the vessel, Timothy Lybrand, had made a distress call earlier that the vessel had run aground onto the rocks just offshore. He stated he was going to abandon ship and swim ashore some 25 yards away. The Coast Guard dispatched air and sea rescue boats to the scene while nearby fishing vessels also searched for the missing man. Aided by the San Francisco Fire Department, the area around the Paloma was systematically searched. After 9 hours, the search was finally called off as no sign of the captain Lybrand could be found.
The Paloma ran ashore onto the beach partially sunk in 10 feet of water. Officials were able to safely remove the vessel’s two fuel tanks which had some 35 gallons of diesel fuel. Debris from the vessel has washed up on to the beach. The Coast Guard reports the cleanup coast will cost around $20,000. The Paloma has sustained significant damage and will scrapped on the beach. Authorities will pull the vessel above the high tide line and breakup the vessel so it can be carted to a nearby dump truck for removal. Estimates state this will cost another $98,000 to complete.
Later reports stated Lybrand had warrants for his arrest for failure to appear in court in 2012. Police suspect the fisherman had not perished with his vessel but is in hiding somewhere in the San Francisco area.
