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Tag: France

Larus

Larus

Larus
Photo: French Navy’s Atlantic Maritime Prefecture

On the night of December 7, the 100 meter long, 5720 dwt tanker Larus (IMO: 1065289) went adrift off the French coast in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Larus had been at anchor since late November after it suffered a technical fault. The tanker dropped anchor in Bay of Saint-Brieuc waiting for a commercial tug to tow to a shipyard in Estonia for repairs. Before a tug could arrive, the heavy weather from Storm Durragh caused the Larus‘s anchor to drag.  The tanker requested assistance from French authorities as the vessel drifted towards the shoreline.  Authorities dispatched the rescue tug Abeille Bourbon which reached the Larus around midnight.

The tug attempted to pass a towline to the Larus but it was not successful. Authorities decided to dispatch a response team to assist with the recovery. A helicopter flew the team out to the tanker and lowered them onto the deck. With the team onboard, the towline was established allowing the Abeille Bourbon to tow the Larus to the protection of the port at Brest.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

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.

Olga

Olga

Iver Blessing
Photo: premar-atlantique.gouv.fr

On August 9, the 148 meter long, 18319 dwt bulk carrier Olga (IMO: 9109548)  struck the 109 meter long, 6189 dwt tanker Iver Blessing (IMO: 9588287)  in the Bay of Biscay off Saint-Nazaire, France. The Olga was proceeding from an anchorage off Saint-Nazaire when it allided with the stern of the anchored Iver Blessing. The Iver Blessing sustained hull damage with a small hole above the waterline. The Olga also sustained a large gash in its hull above the waterline.  Five crewmen on the Iver Blessing suffered slight injuries that did not require medical assistance. No reports of product being released from the Iver Blessing, but some pollution was reported.  An oil drum had fallen overboard.

Olga
Photo: premar-atlantique.gouv.fr

Both vessels were order to remain at anchorage while authorities conduct an investigation into the incident.