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Tag: Pollution

Pacific Quest

Pacific Quest

Pacific Quest
Photo: uscg

On August 11, the 56 foot long fishing vessel Pacific Quest ran aground in Monterey Bay near Santa Cruz in the Natural Bridges State Park, California.  The vessel had run ashore during the earlier morning hours at low tide.  The captain who was the sole person on board abandoned ship and walk up the beach to safety.  The captain had alerted the Coast Guard and attempting to arrange a tug to pull the Pacific Quest free. 

An inspection found the fishing vessel had sustained too much hull damage and could not be pulled off the beach.  The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation as the vessel owners have arranged to remove the fuel off the vessel. 

 

Reports state the Pacific Quest has partially broken up on the beach.  The Pacific Quest had some 1200 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the incident. Authorities state some 200 gallons of diesel is known to leak out onto the beach and into the water.

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: laverdaddemonagas.com

The 82 meter long, 361 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tallink Autoexpress 2 sank in Bay of Pozuelos at Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.  The ferry had been laid up in port for several years after a fracture was found in the hull.  The ferry had no power on board and depended on power provided by the pier to keep the vessel’s pumps working.  Reports state the power was removed eight months ago and the vessel had no working pumps. 

On August 4, the two people watching the Tallink Autoexpress 2 reported the vessel had suffered water ingress and the water levels were rising inside the vessel.  The owners dispatched a pump to the scene, but the single pump was unable to keep up with the flooding. 

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: elpitazo.com

By August 7, the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had sunk by the stern.  Reports state pollution was released as the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had some 40,000 litres of diesel fuel in its tanks. Authorities placed barriers around the hull and absorbent pads to collect the fuel spill.  

This is the third ro-ro passenger ferry to sink near Puerto la Cruz  since 2010.  The Mrs. Juana sank in 2010 and the Carmen Ernestina sank in 2016.  Four other ferries are berthed in Puerto la Cruz waiting to be scrapped.

 

Bow Jubail

Bow Jubail

Bow Jubail

The 183 meter long, 37500 dwt tanker Bow Jubail allided with a pier at Rotterdam, Netherlands.  The Bow Jubail had a pilot on board and was being escorted by a tug when it struck the jetty against the starboard hull. The hull was breached rupturing the bunker tanks. Some 217 tons of fuel oil spilt out of the Bow Jubail into the harbor.  No reports of injuries to the 29 crew on board. 

Authorities dispatched harbor vessels and fire boats to the scene to contain the pollution.  Booms were placed to help contain some of the oil, but reports state the pollution may impact shorelines.  Several reports state wildlife including birds were found to be coated by oil.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.