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Atlantic Osprey

Atlantic Osprey

Atlantic Osprey
Photo: independent.ie

The wooden fishing vessel Atlantic Osprey ran aground and sank off Balbriggan near Dublin, Ireland. The Atlantic Osprey was fishing razor clams when it suffered a power blackout after the main engine failed.  The crew attempted to restart the engine, but could not restore power before the vessel was blown onto an offshore sandbank near the Balbriggan harbour.   Waves pounded the wooden hull causing the seams to open up allowing water ingress.

The crew alerted local authorities the Atlantic Osprey was in danger and needed assistance. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene while the RNLI launched lifeboats from Howth Skerries and Clogherhead as part of the rescue effort. The Howth Skerries lifeboat was able to pull alongside the Atlantic Osprey and safely transfer all 5 crew. No reports of injuries.

After the crew were rescued, authorities attempted to keep the Atlantic Osprey afloat. Three pumps were placed on the trawler, but the flooding could not be brought under control. The vessel later partially sank a few hours later.

Reports state there are efforts to salvage the fishing vessel.  No signs of pollution were reported, but the vessel contained 400 litres of diesel fuel at the time of the incident.

Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream

Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream

Norwegian Dream
1999 Collision

On August 24, 1999, the 230 meter long, 6731 dwt passenger cruise ship Norwegian Dream collided with the 294 meter long, 55527 dwt container ship Ever Decent in the English Channel.  Around 1:15 a.m., the Norwegian Dream was en route to Dover, England from Zeebrugge, Belgium  with 2,400 passengers when it struck the Ever Decent four miles southeast of the Falls Head Buoy.  Passengers awoke hearing a loud bang and cruise ship shaking violently.

Norwegian Dream
Some passengers remarked they were worried the vessel sank like the 1997 Titanic movie

Frighten the passengers were mustered up on deck and told to put on life jackets.  The crew inspected the vessel for damage and found a large section of the bow was crushed or had been torn away.  On the deck the crew found 5 containers from the Ever Decent on the cruise ship’s deck.  The containers held cyanide, but luckily they did not rupture.  While severely damaged, the Norwegian Dream remained afloat and was able to reach Dover under its own power. Some 21 passengers suffered minor injuries.

Ever Decent
Photo: Ever Decent

The Ever Decent had sustained heavy damage from the collision. Several containers carrying paint on board had caught fire and multiple ballast tanks had been ruptured causing the vessel to develop a 40 degree list. Fire fighting tugs, RNLI lifeboats and Coast Guard vessels were later able to extinguish the blaze, but it required efforts from Dutch and UK fire fighters efforts over several days. Later, the disabled container ship was towed to Zeebrugge.

Both vessels were later repaired and went back into service.

Flying Dutchman

Flying Dutchman

Flying Dutchman
Photo: RNLI

The 2-masted sailing vessel Flying Dutchman ran aground in Oban Bay. The Flying Dutchman had run aground during low tide on a reef locally known as “The Scrat”.  The RNLI lifeboat responded to the scene and help disembark the passengers safely. The Flying Dutchman later refloated on the rising tide and was towed by the lifeboat to the pier in Oban.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution.

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