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Tag: Explosion

Ursa Major

Ursa Major

Ursa Major
Photo: x.com

On December 23, the 142 meter long, 9400 dwt cargo vessel Ursa Major (IMO: 9538892) sank in the Mediterranean Sea some 58 miles off the coast of Almeira, Spain. The Ursa Major had departed from St. Petersburg, Russia on December 11 and reported to be bound for Vladivostok with empty containers in the hold, cargo hatches for icebreakers and two cranes on deck.  While sailing between Spain and Algeria, the vessel suffered an explosion in the engine room. The crew had been trying to fix the fuel line to the main engine when vapors ignited. The explosion damaged the main engine resulting in a power blackout and hull damage.  The vessel’s hull had partially blown out resulting in uncontrolled water ingress.  Unable to contain the flooding, the vessel developed a starboard list.

Fourteen of the 16 crew on board abandoned the Ursa Major in the vessel’s lifeboat. Spanish authorities were alerted and the Salvamento Maritimó sent out two vessels and a helicopter to assist. All 14 crew would be rescued and safely transported to the port of Cartagena, Spain.  A Russian warship arrived on scene a short time later and took charge of search and rescue operations. No further details on the 2 missing crew.

The Ursa Major would later sink the following morning on December 24.  Authorities have alerted of the possible damage from drifting wreckage around where the vessel sank. News reports outside of Russia state the Ursa Major was most likely headed for Syria or Libya and not Vladivostok.

 

 

Isa Star

Isa Star

Isa Star
Photo: European Union Aspides

On December 5, the 107 meter long, 9022 dwt container/cargo vessel Isa Star (IMO: 9210270) sustain an explosion in the Red Sea off Hodeidah, Yemen. The Isa Star alerted authorities it had suffered an explosion in the engine room resulting in fire and hull damage. The explosion was strong enough to damage the hull to allow water ingress. Without any way to control the flooding, the crew of the Isa Star requested evacuation. The European Union naval mission Aspidas dispatched a vessel which was able to safely evacuate all the crew off the Isa Star. The crew would be taken to Djibouti. Reports do not state if there was any injuries or the final outcome of the Isa Star.

Sofia

Sofia

Sofia
Photo: Swedish Maritime Authority

On the evening of November 28, the 70 meter long, 1827 dwt cargo vessel Sofia (IMO: 8616087) suffered an explosion and fire in Baltic Sea some 30 nautical miles off the coast of Bornholm, Denmark. The Sofia was proceeding in ballast from Poland to Karlshamn when the vessel alerted authorities a mayday alert and the crew needed to abandon ship. Both Danish and Swedish authorities dispatched helicopters and vessels to the scene. Reports state a Swedish rescue helicopter was first to arrive over the Sofia and were able to winch up all 5 crew safely.  The helicopter took the crew to Kristianstad and were reported unharmed from the incident. Polish authorities also dispatched the rescue vessel Kapitan Poinc along with a tugboat towards the drifting Sofia.

Sofia
Photo: tvn24.pl

Reports state the vessel’s owners had dispatched a tug from Rostock to take the Sofia under tow and take it to a shipyard for repair. No details on the cause of the explosion nor the extent of damage caused by the explosion and the fire. Authorities stated the Sofia was not a threat to navigation in the area.