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Tag: Newfoundland

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

On the morning of February 15, the 207 meter long, 33767 dwt container ship MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475) ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Lark Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. The MSC Baltic III had lost power and was adrift in stormy weather with winds over 120 kilometers per hour and waves reaching 6 meters in height. The vessel dropped its starboard anchor hoping to keep the vessel from running aground, but the effort failed and the MSC Baltic III ran ashore along the rocky coastline.

The MSC Baltic III issued a distress call with the Canadian Coast Guard dispatching the 100 meter long, 6,166 gt cutter Henry Larsen along with multiple helicopters to assist. Cormorant helicopters arrived on scene a few hours later and was able to airlift all 20 crew off the MSC Baltic III to safety. No reports of injuries.

The cause of the power failure was not disclosed. Authorities are monitoring the vessel for potential pollution being released from the fuel tanks. An inspection of damage would be conducted when weather conditions improve. No reports of containers breaking free and going overboard. Reports state the MSC Baltic III was headed for Corner Brook, Newfoundland from Montreal, Quebec with a cargo of containers.

Cape Cordell

Cape Cordell

Cape Cordell
Photo: facebook

On February 14, the 18 meter long, 146 gt fishing vessel Cape Cordell (IMO: 8950562) ran aground just outside Fortune Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. The Cape Cordell had arrived just outside Fortune in bad weather with some 65,000 pounds of redfish in its hold.  When the crew was extending out its stabilizing arms, the fishing vessel drifted ashore. Local authorities along with the Canadian Coast Guard were alerted. Local fire fighters assisted three of the crew to evacuate from the vessel.  A rope ladder was lowered allowing the three crew in immersion survival suits to reach shore. No reports of injuries.

The Coast Guard arrived on scene and attempted multiple times to pull the fishing vessel free, but the vessel remained stuck on the rocks. Reports state the Cape Cordell has sustained some damage to its hull, but no reports of pollution released. The remaining crew on board the Cape Cordell decided to leave the vessel until weather conditions improved.

Updates:

On February 20, authorities reported that all diesel fuel and oil on board the Cape Cordell had been removed.  A contracted tug made another attempt to pull the Cape Cordell, but was unsuccessful.

On February 22, there was another attempt to free the Cape Cordell.  Using two tugs and the high tide, the fishing vessel was pulled free. Reports state that multiple lines snapped before the fishing vessel got pulled off the rocks.  The Cape Cordell was then towed to a dock in Fortune where it will be inspected.

Final Update:

Initial reports stated that the Cape Cordell had only sustained minor hull damage from the grounding, but further inspection found the vessel’s hull was in poor shape. The Cape Cordell‘s hull had deteriorated where salvage was not an option. The vessel was later scrapped.

 

Sebastian Sails

Sebastian Sails

Sebastian Sails
Photo: vocm.com

On August 13, the 60 foot long fishing vessel Sebastian Sails caught fire while berthed at Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada. Witnesses spotted smoke rising from the wheelhouse and alerted authorities.  Before authorities could respond, the blaze had spread through out the vessel.  Explosions and dense black smoke rose from the hull.  Nearby fishing vessels were moved safely away from the Sebastian Sails.  The fire continued to spread and reached the wharf itself.  To reach the burning wharf timbers, fire fighters had to break through concrete and asphalt to reach the flames. After hours of hard work firefighters eventually got the fire under control, but the Sebastian Sails sustained heavy damage. 

The superstructure of the fishing vessel had been badly gutted and the vessel later sank at the pier.  Authorities state over 50 feet of wharf had been burnt by the fire.  No reports of injuries.  Booms were placed around the Sebastian Sails to contain any pollution released. Several reports state the Sebastian Sails may be a total loss.  The vessel featured on the Canadian Discovery Channel’s TV program Cold Water Cowboys for four seasons.