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Costa Allegra

Costa Allegra

The 188 meter long, 6966 dwt cruise ship Costa Allegra became disabled in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the Seychelles.   The vessel had suffered a fire in the ship’s generators.  The crew was able to contain and extinguish the fire a few hours later.  No reports of injuries.   The damage was limited to the engine room with the vessel motors damaged.  The vessel sent out a distress call and requested two tugs from the Seychelles.   The ship’s communications were reported as still functioning.   Italian authorities have asked three commercial vessels and two fishing vessels to assist and were heading to the scene.  The Costa Allegra was en route to Mahe, Seychelles from Diego Suarez with 627 passengers and 413 crew on board.

The Costa Allegra is the oldest vessel in the Carnival fleet.   Built in 1969, the vessel has 410 cabins allowing up to 1,000 passengers.   The vessel was refitted in 2006.   Its sister vessel, the Costa Concordia, went aground six weeks ago with 30 lives lost.  Reports state the passenger bookings on Costa vessels were down 35 percent.   Read more about the Costa troubles at cruisemates.com.

View more information about the Costa Allegra on the Costa website

 

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Tycoon Splits in Two

Tycoon Splits in Two

The 84 meter long, 4129 dwt freighter Tycoon broke its mooring and went aground at the phosphate loading area, Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island.   The Tycoon was loading phosphate when heavy swells caused the vessel to break its mooring lines and come ashore and striking the seawall.   The swells reached four meters pounding the vessel until the Tycoon broke-in-two.   The 15 crewmen on board were rescued by the Australian Navy.   Two crewmen suffered slight injuries and were taken to hospital.  The Tycoon breakup has released a large amount of pollution including 102 tons of fuel oil, 32 tons of diesel fuel, 11000 litres of lubricant oil and 260 tons of phosphate cargo.   A report states the pollution will most likely kill the coral in the cove.  Another report state the isolated community will not able to receive supplies at the wharf until the wreck can be salvaged or removed.   Authorities have started an investigation into the incident.

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Zanzibar Disaster

Zanzibar Disaster

The ferry MV Spice Islander capsized and sank three hours after leaving  the island of Unguja (Zanzibar), Tanzania bound for Pemba island.   Witnesses stated the ferry was overloaded with passengers and reports state there were at least 800 people on board.  Initial search and recovery teams have rescued 620 survivors many who were holding onto anything that could float.  However, 187 have perished and authorities expect the death toll to rise.   Tanzanian authorities have requested assistance from other countries while private aircraft and boats are assisting in the rescue and recovery efforts.

The 836 ton ro-ro ferry MV Spice Islander was built in 1967.  The ferry sailed as the Marianna from 1967 to 1989.  The ferry was sold and sailed as the Apostolos P. until 2007.  

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