North Sea - Shipwreck Log

Alia

October 20, 2015 Paul Hancock

The 183 meter long, 35,669 dwt tanker Alia caught fire in the North Sea off Hvide Sande, Denmark. The fire started after an explosion in the vessel’s engine room. The crew evacuated the compartment and turned on the tanker’s fire suppression system. The system released CO2 into the engine room extinguishing the fire, but the tanker had sustained damage and was adrift. Two nearby fishing vessels came to the Alia’s aid and poured water onto the hull of the tanker to keep it cool. No reports of injuries. The Alia was en route to Malta from Gothenburg.

Collision off Zeebrugge

October 6, 2015 Paul Hancock

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

June 9, 2015 Paul Hancock

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.