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Tag: English Channel

AMT Challenger

AMT Challenger

AMT Challenger
Photo: premar-manche.gouv.fr

On December 6, the 122 meter long, 19,129 dwt barge AMT Challenger (IMO: 9557721) ran aground in the English Channel on the French coast and Sotteville-sur-Mer, France. The barge was proceeding under tow by the 75 meter long, 3567 dwt tugboat Boka Glacier (IMO: 9344796) from Rotterdam bound for Portsmouth when the towline broke as a result of storm Darragh.  With rough conditions, the Boka Glacier was unable to reattach a towline. The following day two tugboats were dispatched to assist, but 40 knot winds made it impossible to reconnect the towline. The morning of December 8, a team was hoisted onto the AMT Challenger to attempt to drop the barge’s anchor, but the anchor didn’t hold. The AMT Challenger eventually ran aground on a sandbank some 300 meters off shore. The barge’s ballast pumps were engaged to keep the vessel stable.

Boka Glacier

Reports state the owners of the vessel have drawn up a salvage plan. Authorities are currently monitoring the vessel. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

L’Ecume II

L’Ecume II

L'Ecume II
Photo: itv.com

The 17 meter long fishing vessel L’Ecume II ran aground in the English Channel near St Aubin’s Fort, Jersey. The L’Ecume II had stranded during the low tide and was left high and dry on the sand. Local fire fighters and a lifeboat arrived on scene and help secure the fishing vessel. No reports of injuries to the 2 crew on board the L’Ecume II. The L’Ecume II was later refloated on the high tide. No reports of damage or pollution released. The cause of the grounding is under investigation.

Britannica Hav

Britannica Hav

 

Britannica Hav
Photo: lemarin.fr

On March 20, the 39 meter long fishing vessel Deborah collided with the 82 meter long, 2289 dwt cargo vessel Britannica Hav in the English Channel near Cherbourg, France. The Britannica Hav was en route to Keadby from Santander with a cargo of steel when it was struck amidships by the Deborah. The Britannica Hav sustained severe hull damage and the cargo holds quickly filled with water. Her seven crew were able to escape into the cargo vessel’s two life rafts before the Britannica Hav capsized.

The Deborah was able to rescue the seven crewmen from the life rafts. Authorities dispatched a helicopter from Jobourg to assist. The helicopter was able to hoist all seven crew from the Britannica Hav off the trawler.  One crewman from the Britannica Hav suffered slight injuries and was taken to hospital.

The Deborah sustained bow damage during the collision, but was able to stay afloat. The master of the Deborah also sustained injuries, but decided to stay on board the vessel until it could return back to port in Zeebrugge. There he was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities dispatched patrol boats to the scene to monitor the overturned Britannica Hav. Pollution from the fuel tanks was spotted around the wreck. Debris including several hatch covers were being tracked as being a danger to navigation.

Reports state the authorities dispatched the tug Abeille Liberté to the scene to take the overturned Britannica Hav under tow. After connecting a towline, they proceeded for Le Havre at a slow speed so that the Britannica Hav would not sink. Another tug was dispatched and recovered the hatch covers.