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Tag: Pollution

Tug Orca Sunk

Tug Orca Sunk

Orca
Photo: butenunbinnen.de

On the evening of July 24, the 27 meter long tugboat Orca (MMSI: 211513200) sank on the Weser River at Bremen, Germany. The Orca was supposed to push a barge with a drilling crane to a construction site when suddenly the crane toppled over.  The crane struck the tugboat with enough force that it severely damage the hull allowing uncontrolled water ingress. The crew was able to escape to safety before the Orca sank to the bottom of the harbour. One person suffered minor injuries and received treatment.

Authorities responded to the scene and found diesel fuel sheen around the sunken tug.  Booms were deployed around the sunken Orca to prevent the pollution from spreading further into the river. A salvage company was contacted to recover the tugboat and the crane from the water. A few days later a crane was used to lift the Orca from the bottom.  The cause for the crane to collapse had not yet been determined.

 

Kepejora

Kepejora

Kepejora
Photo: flows.be

On the afternoon of July 25, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Kepejora (MMSI: 244668436) sank on the Sambre River near the Auvelais lock at Sambreville, Belgium. The Kepejora was scheduled for a voyage to Ghent from Châtelet when it sustained hull damage while loading a cargo of 1400 tons of scrap metal. The crew had not discovered the damage until the Kepejora was found taking on water.

Kepejora
Photo: lavenir.net

The vessel’s pumps could not stop the flooding and the crew requested assistance. The local fire brigade responded to scene with dewatering pumps. Unfortunately, the Kepejora‘s hull had been holed and the cargo of scrap metal needed to be lightered.  Due to the limited space at the quay, there was no way to unload the cargo before the vessel sank a few hours later.

Authorities have placed pollution barriers around the Kepejora to contain any oil pollution released. Divers were requested to make temporary repairs so that the vessel could be dewatered.

Hein

Hein

Hein
Photo: tixio.de

On the afternoon of July 25, the 107 meter long, 2205 dwt suction dredger Hein (IMO: 7911856) allided on the Weser River at the port of Brake, Germany. Accordingly to the Water Police, the Hein had veered from its course and struck a quay in the port before coming to rest at the edge of the riverbank. The dredger sustained significant bow damage with the hull holed in multiple places, but no reports of injuries from the incident. During the incident, the dredger had struck on the cranes on the quay causing it to topple over onto the vessel. Reports state the crane was smashed onto the deck and tore several hydraulic lines. Authorities confirmed that some hydraulic oil entered the Weser, but the amount was minimal and would evaporate quickly.

The  incident is under investigation.  There was no initial reports to why the Hein changed course.  A salvage company has been contacted to plan how the dredger will be recovered.