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Tag: Ship grounding

Miss Jessie

Miss Jessie

Miss Jessie
Photo: USCG

On the early morning of July 25, the 37 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie ran aground just south of Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California. The Miss Jessie contacted the United States Coast Guard that the fishing vessel had become disabled and had washed ashore. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor lifeboat from Humboldt Bay along with a MH-Dolphin helicopter to assist. The helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted all 5 crew off the Miss Jessie to safety.  There were no injuries reported.

The Coast Guard reported that the Miss Jessie had some 800 gallons of diesel fuel still on board, but there were no signs of pollution released. Authorities are monitoring the vessel while efforts are made to refloat the fishing vessel.  Reports state the Miss Jessie was eventually pulled back into open water a few days later.

This isn’t the first Miss Jessie to require assistance in this area.  In April 2018, the 45 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie had suffered steering failure just south of Humboldt Bay off  Table Bluff, California. The Coast Guard responded and the 47 foot motor lifeboat towed the fishing vessel back to harbor.

MN Kostas

MN Kostas

MN Kostas
Photo: Greek Coast Guard

On the night of July 24, the 105 meter long, 5813 dwt cargo vessel MN Kostas (IMO: 9103489) ran aground in the Mediterranean Sea off the northeastern tip of Crete, Greece.  The MN Kostas departed from Sitia, Crete bound for Chekka, Lebanon, with a cargo of plaster when it ran aground on a reef some 6 nautical miles off Sitia. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress.

 

The Greek Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched 3 patrol boats to the scene. Assisted by nearby fishing and private vessels , all 14 crew members were safely evacuated and taken to Sitia. No reports of injuries. Four tugboats were dispatched from Heraklion to start salvage operations. Divers inspected the MN Kostas hull for damage. Authorities are monitoring the area for any signs of pollution released.
Reports state the Sitia Port Authority has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have arrested the master and the acting bridge officer under the Greek Penal Code for causing a shipwreck. The MS Kostas had prior legal issues a few months prior. The owners of the cargo vessel were cited for only paying the crew half their wages over the last several months.
Barges Aground Off Batangas

Barges Aground Off Batangas

Barges off Batangas
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On July 19, the barges Amazon River, EE Margarette and Yangtze River went aground in Balayan Bay along the shoreline near Calaca City, Batangas, Philippines.  The barges Amazon River, loaded with 1567 mt of molasses, and Yangtze River, loaded with 1462 mt of molasses, were under tow by the tug Robina I bound for Balayan. Nearby, the barge EE Margarette, loaded with 1772 mt of molasses, was being towed by the tug Robina II was also bound for Balayan. The vessels had to divert due to rough seas from Tropical Storm Crising and shelter in the bay. The winds from the tropical storm was strong enough to snap the mooring lines to the barges resulting in all three barges washing ashore. The barge Amazon River and EE Margarette collided during the incident resulting in hull damage to the EE Margarette.

The Philippine Coast Guard  stated that all 21 crew onboard the vessels were safe. Authorities stated that some of the molasses cargo from the EE Margarette was released into sea. The coast guard stated the cargo was considered non-hazardous and would dissipate in the sea. Local officials stated salvage and the removal of the barges will be done as soon as conditions improved.