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Tag: Cargo Vessel

Fu Shun

Fu Shun

Fu Shun

The 56 meter long, 599 gt general cargo vessel Fu Shun (IMO: 8545654)  sank some 19 miles off Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  The Fu Shun had developed a list from water ingress caused by the high winds and waves from Typhoon Gaemi.  The vessel alerted authorities early in the morning that it had developed a list and was in distress.  The cargo vessel quickly lost stability as the list increased to nearly 45 degrees. The 9 crew on board were unable to reach the life raft on board and were forced to jump overboard adorning just life jackets.  The crew jumped into the sea as one group of four with another group of five. The waves quickly separated the men as conditions were too severe for authorities to reach them.

Reports state two crew were found alive having reached the coast near Fengbitou.  Another two crewmen would reach the shore a short time afterwards.  Unfortunately, locals also found the body fo the master of the Fu Sun.  He had been driven up against the rocks and killed.  Authorities state four crew still are reported as missing.  Reports state the missing crewmen had their life jackets wash away from them during the storm.

Ultra Galaxy Updates

Ultra Galaxy Updates

Ultra galaxy
Photo: samsa.org.za

On July 10, the cargo vessel Ultra Galaxy went aground along a remote part of the west coast of South Africa known as Brand se Baai.  The Ultra Galaxy had been abandoned days earlier when the cargo vessel had developed a heavy list and was in danger of capsizing.  Authorities had dispatched two tugs to start salvage operations. Reports state the vessel had a full cargo of fertilizer in bags in the hold and fuel tanks loaded with fuel oil.

On July 12, a salvage team was working on site on the Ultra Galaxy. The cargo vessel had partially capsized and several cargo hatches had broken free. Authorities state the first goal is to remove the cargo along with fuel and hydraulic oil onboard to prevent further pollution being released.  Teams are currently working the beach near the vessel and removing flotsam along with several cargo hatches from the beaches. Divers inspected the hull and attempted to seal the fuel tanks to prevent any further pollution being released.

On July 16, authorities reported the weather has improved and salvage efforts are continuing. Unfortunately, many of the hatches of the cargo vessel were open to the sea allowing much of the fertilizer cargo to be washed away. Some of the fertilizer bags have reached the shoreline, but much of the cargo has been released into the sea.

On July 28, salvage work on the Ultra Galaxy was slowed by bad weather.  Salvage teams had been able to remove 8 tons of fuel oil and several oil drums off the vessel before another storm hit the area. Swells 7 meters high pounded the vessel which eventually caused the Ultra Galaxy to break up. The accommodation section broke off before the rest of the vessel split into several sections. Reports state an oil spill will impact the immediate area with pollution washing ashore.  Authorities have deployed a team of some 125 people to the area to assist in the pollution cleanup.

 

Typhoon Gaemi

Typhoon Gaemi

Here are other vessels impacted by Typhoon Gaemi:

 

    • The 79 meter long, 3210 dwt cargo vessel Xin Li (MMSI: 677016900) went aground off Taiwan. Later refloated.

 

    • The 72 meter long, 1352 dwt cargo vessel Ginan (IMO: 8904604) had its anchor drag and went ashore off Taiwan

 

    • The 300 meter long, 209,204 dwt bulk carrier Hedwig Oldendorff  (IMO: 9742728) sent out a distress signal during height of the storm.  However, it was able to ride out the typhoon and keep itself from going ashore.