On January 27, the 77 meter long supply vessel Caballo Eclipse capsized and sank off Carmelite Island, Mexico. The unmanned Caballo Eclipse had been at anchor off the coast since 2017 when storm waves caused hull failure. A meter long crack on the port hull allowed uncontrolled water ingress into the vessel. The Caballo Eclipse partially filled with water before it capsized and partially sank with the hull resting on the bottom. No reports of injuries.
Reports state some diesel fuel had been released, but no details to the quantity of pollution was provided. Authorities did not state if any salvage or scrapping will be done to the vessel. The Caballo Eclipse had been considered abandoned since 2017 when her owners suffered financial problems.
On January 10, the 123 foot long towboat Gate City sank on the Big Sandy River near Butler, West Virginia. The towboat had sunk at its moorings releasing some 1300 gallons of oil into the river. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a team to the scene. Booms were placed around the Gate City to contain the pollution. Some 800 gallons of oil was recovered from the river. Local water service was halted for several days due to the pollution.
Reports state a salvage team pumped the remaining oil off the towboat before the Gate City was refloated. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On September 10, the 91 meter long, 3205 dwt tanker Agia Zoni II sank in the Saronic Gulf off the island of Salamina, Greece. The tanker had departed from Aspropyrgos distilleries with 2200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas. While at anchor in calm conditions, the tanker suffered water ingress in the vessel’s engine room. The Agia Zoni II sank a short time later. No reports of injuries. The vessel’s master and engineer on board were arrested, but later released by authorities pending trial for negligence.
Authorities sent divers to confirm the tanker holds had been sealed, but a large oil slick had been released. The slick washed ashore along the island of Salamina and the coast along southern Athens. Reports state some 20 kilometers of beaches are polluted and local authorities have banned swimming and fishing in the area. Vessels and environmental crews had been dispatched by authorities to help clean up the pollution. Reports state the cleanup has been slow and may require up to 25 days to be completed.
Photo: yahoo.com
Photo: ekathimerini.com
Reports state the Agia Zoni II lacked the certificates of seaworthiness. The vessel had undergone some repairs before it departed, but several reports state the repairs were insufficient and improperly done. Statements such as the vessel had “gaping holes” in the engine room suggests the tanker lacked the structural integrity to be allowed to leave port. Additionally, reports state the vessel lacked a full crew. The Agia Zoni II typically would have a crew of 11 persons, but on its final voyage the tanker just had 2 crew on board. This could suggest that many crew decided not to serve on board the tanker knowing it wouldn’t stay afloat.
Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
