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Tag: Pollution

Duplo

Duplo

Duplo
Photo: blv.no

On October 13, the workboat Duplo sunk in Sortlandssundet south of Bremnes, Norway. Reports state the workboat had started taking on water and the one person on board requested assistance. A nearby fishing boat was able to safely rescue the sole crew person before the Duplo capsized and sank.  No reports of injuries.

Duplo
Photo: blv.no

Authorities dispatched the coast guard vessel Heimdal to the scene, but it arrived after the Duplo had sunk. Additional vessels arrived to remove wreckage floating on the surface. Reports state there was a light sheen of oil visible on the water where the vessel sank.

The direct cause of the sinking was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon
Photo: focustaiwan.tw

On the early morning of October 1, the 229 meter long, 79,471 bulk carrier Blue Lagoon (IMO: 9481427)  ran aground off Orchid Island, Taiwan. The Blue Lagoon departed from Caofedian, China with 67,500 tons of iron ore bound for Singapore when the bulk carrier stranded in rough seas caused by Typhoon Krathon.  The vessel ran up on the rocks sustaining hull damage and water ingress. The engine room quickly flooded as the pumps were unable to contain the water ingress. A distress call was sent out and authorities dispatched helicopters from the National Airborne Service Corps to the scene. The helicopters were able to lift all 19 crew off the Blue Lagoon safely to shore where they were examined by medical personnel.  No reports of injuries.

Authorities state that oil had been found in the water near the Blue Lagoon. Reports suspect the vessel’s fuel tanks had ruptured allowing some of the 227 tons of fuel oil on board to spill out into the sea. The local environmental bureau has been requested to contain the oil slick and conduct clean up operations.

Adolf Jensen

Adolf Jensen

Adolf Jensen

On September 18, the 30 meter long, 70 dwt passenger vessel Adolf Jensen (IMO: 6708575)  ran aground at the mouth of the Tasermiut Fjord near Nanortalik, Greenland. The Adolf Jensen was enroute to Qaqortoq when it struck a reef. The vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress. A distress call was sent out with the Nanortalik fire brigade responding. Using the 27 meter long landing craft, Atitooq (MMSI: 331000149), the fire brigade transfer dewatering pump and pollution containment gear.  Unfortunately, the pumps could not contain the flooding and the vessel sank after five hours later. All crew on the Adolf Jensen were safely evacuated to shore with no reports of injuries.

Atitooq

Authorities deployed floating booms to contain the oil pollution released. Unfortunately, the tides, current and wind made it impossible to contain the oil slick. Authorities don’t have an estimate on how much pollution was released from the Adolf Jensen. The oil slick suggests a fuel tank had ruptured or valves were not sealed before the vessel sank. Reports state the Adolf Jensen had some 20,000 litres of diesel along with 1,000 litres of gasoline on board when it sank.

Authorities have dispatched additional personnel to the scene to assist in cleanup efforts.  The vessel owners have not release a statement on the incident.