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Tag: North Sea

Collision off Zeebrugge

Collision off Zeebrugge

 

Flinterstar
Photo: deredactie.be

The 129 meter long, 8,850 dwt cargo vessel Flinterstar collided with the 315 meter long 122,079 dwt LNG tanker Al Oraiq in the North Sea off the coast of Zeebrugge, Belgium.  The Flinterstar was en route to Bilbao, Spain from Antwerp when it was struck by the Al-Oraiq which was bound for Zeebrugge. The Al-Oraiq suffered a slight gash and suffered some water ingress, but was able to proceed with assistance to Zeebrugge.  The Flinterstar sustained significant damage with uncontrolled water ingress.  The 11 crew on the Flinterstar went overboard into the sea and were all later rescued. The master of the Flinterstar and one crewman sustained slight injuries.  The flooding continued on the Flinterstar until it partially sank with part of the hull sitting on a sandbar.  Authorities reported that a sheen of oil was spotted around the vessel.

Baltic Ace Removal

Baltic Ace Removal

Baltic Ace
Photo: tugspotters.com

On June 7, part of the of the remains of the car carrier Baltic Ace arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  On December 5, 2012, the car carrier collided with the 135 meter long, 8372 dwt container ship Corvus J in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands during a snow storm with rough seas.    The Baltic Ace quickly sank with only 13 of the 24 crew on board able to climb into the life rafts .  The vessel with its cargo of 1400 Mitsubishi vehicles on board sat on the bottom in 35 meters of water.

Dutch authorities contracted with Boskalis and Mammoet Salvage to remove the Baltic Ace in February 2014. The wreck was a threat to shipping as it was a hazard in the busy route to Rotterdam. Within the wreck, there was 540,000 litres of fuel oil posed a threat to the environment. Reports state the salvage teams will break up the vessel into six sections and lifted to the surface over the summer.

Purple Beach

Purple Beach

Purple Beach
Photo: kreiszeitung.de

On May 25, the 192 meter long, 33720 dwt cargo vessel Purple Beach caught fire in the North Sea while en route from Immingham to Brake, Germany with a cargo of fertilizers. The fire started in one of the cargo holds of the Purple Beach and the crew quickly responded. The crew extinguished the blaze that evening, but the fire reignited the following day while the vessel was off Helgoland. The crew requested assistance with rescue boats, helicopters and salvage vessels arriving on scene. Reports state a firefighting team was brought on board to help contain the blaze.  One of the 25 persons on board suffered injuries from the toxic gas released and was airlifted for treatment.