The 145 meter long, 7341 dwt ro-ro cargo vessel Volcán de Teneguía became disabled off Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. The vessel was en route to Santa Cruz from Cádiz when it suffered a fire in the engine room. The crew was able to contain the fire quickly, but the fire had damaged the main engine. Without power the Volcán de Teneguía went adrift. Authorities dispatched response vessels to the scene. The pollution control vessel Miguel de Cervantes arrived on scene and took the cargo vessel under tow. The vessels proceeded to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria where it arrived the following day. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On January 17, the 101 meter long, 5500 dwt cargo vessel FWN Ruby became disabled off Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. The FWN Ruby was headed for Ambriz when it suffered engine failure and went adrift. The FWN Ruby requested assistance and authorities dispatched a vessel to the scene. The FWN Ruby was taken under tow and proceeded to Las Palmas for repairs. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Reports state the crew was able to make repairs and continued on its voyage.
On April 21, the 142 meter long, 3500 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Volcán de Tamasite became disabled and allided with the pier at the port of Luz in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The Volcán de Tamasite had just departed the port for Santa Cruz with 140 passengers and 33 crew and began a turn to port when it suffered a power blackout. Without power, the crew lost steering and the ferry continued its turn to port. The crew attempted to stop the Volcán de Tamasite by an emergency anchoring, but it was unsuccessful. The vessel completed its arc and struck bow first into the reinforced concrete wall along the outer edge of the pier.
Thirteen passengers sustained injuries in the allision. Five passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. The Volcán de Tamasite sustained significant damage to the bulbous bow and the tip of the bow was crushed. The pier sustained major damage. A portion of the concrete wall was crushed and fell onto several parked vehicles on the pier.
Photo: canarias7.es
Refueling pipelines that ran along the pier were partially destroyed. Some 10 meters of pipe were damaged allowing some 60 tons of diesel fuel to be released into the water. Authorities closed 20 kilometers of beaches as a slick over 15 kilometers long drifted just off the coast. Anti-pollution vessels were deployed in an effort to collect some of the pollution released. Repairs to the pipeline are expected to take 4 months.
The Volcán de Tamasite was able to restore power and was escorted back into port by two tugs. Passengers disembarked and were taken to local hotels. and the ferry was later taken to drydock for repairs. Reports state several passengers were unnerved by the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
