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Collision Off Hatter Barn

Collision Off Hatter Barn

SFL Composer
Photo: tv-kalundborg.dk

On the night of August 4, the 292 meter long, 61609 dwt container ship Maersk Gironde (IMO: 9235555) collided with the 200 meter long, 18881 dwt car carrier SFL Composer (IMO: 9293583) in the Samsø Bælt near Hatter Barn reef, Denmark. The Maersk Gironde was headed to Gdansk from Wilhelmshaven when it attempted to overtake the SFL Composer when the vessels collided. Both vessels sustained hull damage above the waterline. The SFL Composer port stern partially crushed in and a large gash almost halfway along its port side hull. Both vessels maintained power with the SFL Composer proceeding to anchor off Sejerø while the Maersk Gironde to Fyns Hoved. There were no reports of injuries on either vessel.

Danish authorities have detained the vessels while both are inspected for seaworthiness. Divers were requested and did an underwater inspection to see if there was any damage below the waterline.  Reports state the SFL Composer was taken under tow by 2 tugs and proceeded to a shipyard for inspection. The Danish Maritime Authority has launched an investigation into the incident.

For other reports from the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board, check our growing archive of reports.

Morning Midas Sank

Morning Midas Sank

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

SINKING

On June 23, the the 183 meter long, 12250 dwt car carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910)  sank in the Pacific Ocean some 450 miles southwest of Alaska’s Aleutian Island of Adak after being on fire for nearly 3 weeks.  The salvage company Zodiac Maritime stated the vessel had suffered water ingress from the fire damage causing the vessel to finally sink. The car carrier sank to a depth of 16,404 feet.

POLLUTION

There was no reports of visible pollution at the site of the sinking. The United States Coast Guard reported they have vessels on scene ready to respond to any pollution released. Currently, the salvage vessels 47 meter long Garth Foss (IMO: 9070266) and 69 meter long Salvage Worker (IMO: 9250024) were onsite and equipped with pollution response equipment. Additionally, the 57 meter long offshore supply vessel Endeavour (IMO: 8623468) had departed from Dutch Harbor with oil pollution containment equipment and will be on site of the wreck by June 26.

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

The Coast Guard nor the Zodiac Maritime have no reported if any oil pollution had been released between June 9 through June 23. The Morning Midas may still have 1,530 metric tons of fuel oil along with 350 metric tons of gas oil (MGO) within its fuel tanks. Even if the fire onboard burned some of the fuel, there will be a significant amount of fuel that maybe released. This may not result in any oil pollution reaching the surface due to the depth of the wreck. In research after the Deepwater Horizon disaster (Fisher, C.R., P.A. Montagna, and T.T. Sutton. 2016. Oceanography 29(3):182–195), oil pollution can remain on the ocean bottom rather than appear on the surface as an oil slick.

INVESTIGATION

There has been no press release if the incident will be investigated any further.  Some news accounts stated the Morning Midas was already unsalvageable before the Zodiac Maritime vessels arrived on site. Due to its location and great depth (the Morning Midas is nearly 3/4 of mile deeper than the wreck of the Titanic), the investigation may not include any underwater surveys using ROVs. It is also doubtful any voyage data recording devices survived the fire prior to the sinking.  Additionally, the car carrier sank in international waters and may not require any US Coast Guard or other United States authorities to investigate.

 

Morning Midas Update

Morning Midas Update

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

June 9 Update

An United States Coast Guard conducted an overflight of the 183 meter long, 12250 dwt car carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910).  The car carrier is now approximately 260 miles southwest of Adak. The car carrier shows extensive fire and heat damage to the entire vessel. Smoke can still be seen coming from the car decks below. 

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

The salvage tug Gretchen Dunlap was reported to be on scene with salvage personnel. Reports state they have started a full assessment of the vessel.  Two more salvage vessels are scheduled to arrive on scene within the next two weeks.

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

The Coast Guard is closely monitoring weather conditions.  They report that conditions were 45-50 knot winds and 6-foot seas.

 

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

June 7 Update

The 183 meter long, 12250 dwt car carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910) continues to be on fire and adrift in the North Pacific Ocean south of Adak, Alaska. The fire has consumed multiple car decks and hull damage is now clearly visible. The stern of the Morning Midas is now sitting lower in the water and a sheen of oil pollution can be seen following the vessel.

The owners had requested a tugboat with fire fighting capabilities but the vessel wont arrived on site until June 9. The United States Coast Guard continues to do aerial monitoring of the Morning Midas.  Reports state the car carrier may be lost before the tugboat arrives. If the fire intensity continues for a few more days, the car carrier’s hull integrity might just fail and the Morning Midas would sink.