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Tag: North Sea

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.

Adler Express

Adler Express

Photo: shz.de
Photo: shz.de

The 42 meter long passenger ferry Adler Express allided with a quay at Wittdün, Germany.  The ferry had departed from Strucklahnungshörn upon Nordstrand and was making a routine stop when it suffered engine failure.   The Adler Express was unable to reverse its engines in time before the ferry struck the quay at a speed of 8 knots.  Many passengers were thrown off the feet. Reports state 27 passengers were injured with 6 listed as severely injured.  Most of the passengers were standing on deck waiting to disembark when the vessel struck the quay.  Multiple authorities dispatched vessels, helicopters and ambulances to the scene.  Those severely injured were flown to hospitals on the mainland.  The ferry suffered significant bow damage which has been estimated to be over 20.000 € .  Officials have launched an investigation into the incident.

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