Browsed by
Tag: Pollution

Terra Nova

Terra Nova

The 65 meter long tanker Terra Nova capsized and sank six kilometers off Lamao Point, Bataan, Philippines. The tanker was enroute from Iloilo City with 1494 tons of fuel oil on board when it had suffered a mechanical breakdown and taken under tow.  As Typhoon Gaemi was passing over the area, the tanker was swamped by the heavy seas causing the Terra Nova to capsize and sink.  Reports state 16 of the 17 crew on board were later rescued.  One crewman perished when the Terra Nova sank.

Terra Nova
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippine Coast Guard reported an oil slick had developed over the sunken tanker. The slick stretched some 12 kilometers threatening local fishing and beaches. Authorities dispatched barriers and oil skimmers to the scene to help mitigate the pollution. Divers inspected the sunken tanker to ensure the tank valves were sealed to prevent further oil leaking.  Authorities state they plan to siphon the oil off the tanker before the Terra Nova will be towed to a shallower area.

Update July 29:

News reports state the Terra Nova is still leaking oil and the oil slick has not yet been contained.

Vox Maxima allided with Marine Honor

Vox Maxima allided with Marine Honor

Von Maxima

On June 14, the 198 meter long, 43,401 dwt hopper dredger Vox Maxima (IMO: 9454096) allided with the 97 meter long, 9003 dwt fuel supply tanker Marine Honour off Singapore. The Vox Maxima had gone adrift after a power blackout when it drifted into the anchored Marine Honour.  The allision resulted in hull damage to the Marine Honour releasing some 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea.  No reports of injuries.

Marine Honour

Authorities were alerted to the incident and dispatched a response team to the scene.  Booms and barriers were placed around the tanker, but large quantity of fuel oil washed on to the nearby shoreline of three islands and a nearby nature reserve. Hundreds of workers and nearly 1500 volunteers were assisting in cleanup efforts while two skimmers were attempting to remove oil from the water. The remaining fuel oil on the Marine Honour was lightered off to another tanker while 16 oil response watercraft spray oil dispersants.

Reports states biologists are monitoring the situation and evaluating the damage to the wildlife.

Mare Doricum

Mare Doricum

Mare Doricum

On January 17, the 275 meter long, 81499 dwt tanker Mare Doricum released oil pollution while berthed at the La Pampilla refinery at Callao, Peru. The Mare Doricum was unloading crude oil at the refinery when the vessel was struck by large waves caused by the eruption of the undersea volcano off Tonga. The tsunami waves caused the tanker to pull away from the berth and rupture the unloading pipes. The oil pollution spread along two miles of the  nearby the coastline.

Reports states an unknown amount of crude oil was released into water which later washed up along the shoreline.  No further details on any other damage caused by the waves was reported. Authorities state the oil terminal was ordered to start cleanup operations. Reports state the Peruvian Navy did not issue a tsunami warning.