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Tag: Collision

Tafra 3

Tafra 3

Tafra 3
Photo: farodevigo.es

On September 12, the 31 meter long, 402 gt fishing vessel Tafra 3 (IMO: 9238727) was in a collision with the 104.5 meter long, 1810 dwt fishing vessel Right Whale (IMO: 8228543) on the Atlantic Ocean off Mauritania. The Tafra 3 was fishing with a trawl astern when it was struck amidships by the Right Whale. The Right Whale sliced into starboard hull of the Tafra 3 leaving a massive hole from the main deck down to below the waterline.  The fishing vessels only remained together for a few minutes before they drifted apart. The Tafra 3 quickly listed over to starboard before it sank by the stern in just in a few minutes.

The crew on the Tafra 3 had no time to launch life rafts, but many were able to don life jackets before the fishing vessel sank. Reports state that 21 survivors were pulled from the water. One crew member had sustained an injury to his head. Five crew members were reported as missing.

A large scale search and rescue operation searched for the missing crew members continued for several days, but was not successful. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Preliminary reports state the incident occurred in calm seas and clear weather. Authorities have stated the Tafra 3 is resting in 50 meters of water. A news report states that the master of the Right Whale has be detained.

 

Storebaelt

Storebaelt

Storebaelt
Photo: schuttevaer.nl

On the evening of September 16, the 34.5 meter long sailing ship Storebaelt collided with the 70 meter long dredger Prins 3 (MMSI: 244700457) in the Wadden Sea off the coast of Harlingen, Netherlands.  The Storebaelt was proceeding on a voyage when it struck head-on with the dredger.  The impact damaged the bowsprit of the Storebaelt and the dredger sustained damage to its bow, but neither vessel suffered water ingress. The KNRM was alerted and two rescue boats were dispatched to the scene.  The KNRM along with another vessel help tow both the Prins 3 and the Storebaelt back to port.

There were no injuries to the 3 crew on the Prins 3, but there were reports of minor injuries on the Storebaelt.  Reports state the sailing vessel had some 25 schoolchildren and 5 adult supervisors on board as passengers during the incident.  Many of the children were examined for bumps and bruises as many were visibly shaken from the incident.  Afterwards, all the passengers were taken to a nearby hotel.

Reports state that conditions may have been a factor in the incident as there were strong winds and heavy rains limited visibility. The incident is under investigation.

Collision off Singapore

Collision off Singapore

Marine Dynamo

On the morning of September 1, the 103 meter long, 8270 dwt bunker tanker Marine Dynamo (IMO: 9956719) collided with the 190 meter long, 56526 dwt bulk carrier Flag Gangos (IMO: 9643908) in the Singapore Strait some 8 kilometers south of Tanah Merah, Singapore. Both ships were stable after the collision.  One crew member on the Marine Dynamo suffered minor injuries and was being treated onboard the tanker.  There were no reports of injuries or pollution released on the Flag Gangos.

Singapore authorities reported there was a light sheen of oil that could be seen around the Marine Dynamo. The master of the tanker reported that a fuel tank above the waterline holding marine gas oil had been damaged by the collision and was the source of the pollution.  Authorities deployed a response team with multiple vessels to aid in the disperse of the oil sheens while drones were used to monitor the situation.  The incident is under investigation by authorities.