On the night of October 30, the 112 meter long, 7538 dwt tanker Global Lake (IMO: 9427469) became disabled on the Çanakkale Strait off Akbaş, Turkey. The Global Lake was headed to Aliağa from Samsun in ballast when it suffered main engine failure. Unable to restart the engine, the tanker requested assistance. Authorities dispatched a tug which took the Global Lake under tow and proceeded to an anchorage. Reports state the vessel was able to make repairs with help of authorities. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On October 30, the 143 meter long, 12,135 dwt heavy lift vessel Yu Zhou Qi Hang became disabled off Cape Yehliu, Taiwan. The Yu Zhou Qi Hang had departed from Jilo bound for Zhangzhou with a heavy cargo of three gantry cranes. The vessel had travelled on a few hours when it stop making headway as it approached the outer edge of Super Typhoon Kong-Rey. With wind gusts up to 300 kilometers per hour and waves reaching 16 feet, the master of the Yu Zhou Qi Hang felt the vessel was in danger and requested assistance. Authorities initially dispatched tugboats to the scene, but they were driven back by the rough conditions. The Yu Zhou Qi Hang dropped both its anchors just over half a mile offshore to keep the vessel from being blown ashore.
Photo: focustaiwan.tw
Fortunately, the Taiwanese Coast Guard had dispatched a patrol vessel that was able to reach the Yu Zhou Qi Hang. The patrol boat arrived on scene and was able to safely rescue all 17 crew off the heavy lift vessel.
Authorities are preparing the possible major oil spill if the Yu Zhou Qi Hang is blown ashore ripping open its fuel tanks. Reports state the area has a stockpile of absorbent pads that can be deployed.
Photo: taiwanenglishnews.com
The Yu Zhou Qi Hang had been an earlier incident on October 14. As the vessel arrived in Keelung, it allided with an older gantry crane on the dock causing it to collapse. The incident resulted in destruction of the crane and destroying five empty containers.
On the afternoon of October 18, 2024 the 31.7 meter long, 158 gt tugboat Luther (IMO: 7427477) became disabled on the Pacific Ocean 10 miles off La Push, Washington. The Luther was towing a concrete barge when it suffered steering failure while in strong winds and waves. The tugboat suffered water ingress as it drifted towards the shore. Unable to fix the steering, the Luther contacted the Coast Guard requesting assistance.
The Coast Guard dispatched a 47-foot motor lifeboat and an emergency tug along with aircraft from the Air Station from Astoria, Washington. The Coast Guard arrived on scene and found the Luther still afloat with the barge nearby, but the towline between the vessels had been disconnected. While setting up a towline to the Luther with the emergency tug, the barge nearly collided with the vessels prompting the Coast Guard to transfer the 5 crew of the Luther to another lifeboat. The Coast Guard dispatched additional vessels which secured a towline to the Luther along with the concrete barge. All the vessels proceeded to a safe harbor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
