On the night of June 1, the 60 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Lomaiviti Princess 2 (IMO: 7824924) capsized and partially sank in Walu Bay at Suva Harbour, Fiji. A tugboat had towed the unmanned Lomaiviti Princess 2 away from the jetty when it had lost stability and developed a sharp a starboard list. As the list increased, the passenger ferry took on water until it capsized and partially sank in 5 meters of water. There were no injuries.
Photo: fijitimes.com
Photo: fijitimes.com
Photo: fijitimes.com
Photo: x.com
Authorities placed booms around the vessel, but diesel fuel pollution was not totally contained. A visible sheen of diesel fuel can be seen in Suva harbour. Authorities have issued a coastal warning and placed yellow buoys to indicate the boundary of the oil pollution. Reports state the Lomaiviti Princess 2 had been moored at the jetty since 2019 and had been used as a dumping ground. No reports if Fiji authorities will conduct an investigation into the incident, how the pollution will be mitigated and when the ferry will be salvaged or removed.
On the early morning of May 24, the 184 meter long, 22994 dwt container ship MSC Elsa 3 (IMO: 9123221) capsized and sank in the in the Arabian Sea some 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, India. The MSC Elsa 3 departed just a day before from Vizhinjam bound for Kochi with 640 containers when it suffered water ingress along its starboard hull. The flooding could not be controlled and one or more holds became flooded. The container ship developed a sharp list to starboard.
The 24 crew on board the MSC Elsa 3 had set out a distress call before abandoning into 2 life rafts. Indian authorities dispatched vessels and aircraft in a search and rescue for the survivors. The Indian Coast Guard rescued 21 of the crew while 3 crew members remained on board in hopes to salvage the container ship. Before any salvage plans could be executed, weather conditions worsen and the Indian Navy removed the final 3 crew members off the MSC Elsa 3. The Container ship would finally roll over onto its starboard hull and sink. No reports of injuries.
Photo: IndianExpress.com
Photo: Indian Coast Guard
Photo: Indian Navy
Photo: Indian Navy
Photo: thehindu.com
Photo: IndianExpress.com
Photo: x.com
Photo: x.com
Photo: x.com
Photo: Indian Coast Guard
Photo: Indian Coast Guard
Photo: Indian Coast Guard
Authorities state there is concern of both oil and hazardous cargo pollution being released from the incident. A large oil slick was visible over the area where the container ship sank and multiple containers were adrift in the water. The MSC Elsa 3 had 25 containers of hazardous cargo along with 367 metric tons of fuel oil and 84 tons of diesel fuel. Indian Authorities have deployed teams to monitor the area for pollution. Alerts to the public warned of oil pollution may washup along the shoreline and should keep distance from any containers that reach shore. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The MSC Elsa 3 had a prior incident in 2016. The container ship had struck a bulk carrier in an anchorage off Yemen and sustained some damage to its forecastle.
On the morning of May 23, the 68 meter long, 2218 dwt cargo vessel Torvang (IMO: 6902808) capsized on the Kornstadfjorden while berthed at a quay in Averøy, Norway. The Torvang had finished loading a cargo of gravel when it lost stability and capsized onto its port hull. The five crew onboard were able to abandon ship with 3 crew members walking onto the quay. The other 2 crew members had to jump into the sea and swim ashore. No reports of injuries.
Photo: tk.no
Authorities were alerted of the incident with the local fire brigade aided by the NSSR placed booms around the Torvang to contain any oil pollution released from the vessel. The police and Norwegian Maritime Authority have launched an investigation into the incident. No details from the initial investigation has been released, but there is some assumptions the imbalanced was caused by the cargo shifting after loading was completed. Reports state a sludge suction has been requested to help dewater the vessel. After dewatering, the assumption the Torvang will right itself.
