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Tag: South China Sea

Dolphin 18

Dolphin 18

Dolphin 18
Photo: dantri.com.vn

On the morning of December 11, the 93 meter long, 7950 dwt cargo vessel Dolphin 18 (IMO: 9216341) sank in the South China Sea some 146 nautical miles north of Riau Islands, Indonesia. The Dolphin 18 was headed to An Giang from Papua New Guinea with 5,300 cubic meters of wood when it suffered undisclosed accident and sent out a distress call. The 18 crew on board were able to abandon ship into 2 life rafts before the Dolphin 18 sank.

Authorities in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam issued out a maritime notice for nearby vessels to look for the life rafts. Fortunately, the 199 meter long container ship Nicolai Maersk (IMO: 9192454) was close by and safely rescued the 18 crew. Reports state all crew members are in good condition and no reports of injuries. The Nicolai Maersk will transport the crew to Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.

Nicolai Maersk

The details as to why the cargo vessel sank have not be disclosed. Reports due state that weather was rough with strong winds reaching near gale force (28 knots) and waves reaching 5 meters high.  No government authority has announced any investigation into the incident. The Dolphin 18 is operated by Hai Phuong Shipping Company Limited based in Vietnam.

 

Panoria

Panoria

Panoria
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard

On January 4, the 190 meter long, 53514 dwt bulk carrier Panoria (IMO: 9480930) caught fire in South China Sea some 23 miles off Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan. The Panoria was headed to Nantong from Singapore when a fire broke out in the engine room. The crew after some effort were able to extinguish the blaze, but not after the main engine sustained damage. The cargo vessel lost power and and went adrift. Three crew suffered burns from the incident and one crew member was seriously injured and required medical treatment.

Panoria
Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard

The Taiwan Coast Guard received a distress call from the Panoria and dispatched five vessels and a helicopter to assist. The helicopter arrived a few hours later and was able to safely evacuated all four injured crew. The helicopter took the injured crew to Kaohsiung where they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A tug was requested to take the Panoria under tow to Kaohsiung. The Coast Guard stated it would monitor the situation. No reports of pollution released.

Chemroad Journey

Chemroad Journey

Chemroad Journey

On June 11, the 174 meter long, 33526 dwt tanker Chemroad Journey ran aground in the South China Sea near Phu Quy Island, Vietnam. The Chemroad Journey was headed to Zhuhai from Al Jubail with 30,000 tons of chemicals (butanal, ethylene glycol, monoethanolamine) and 800 tons of fuel oil when it ran up on the rocky bottom.

The tanker sustained hull damage to the ballast tanks and suffered water ingress. Unable to control the flooding, the Chemroad Journey developed a 15 degree list to port.  No reports of injuries to the 27 crew on board.

Authorities state there is a strong concern about pollution being released. A response team was monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with the vessel’s owners to prevent any property damage and environmental pollution in the area. Reports state a Japanese salvage team has been contracted to survey and salvage the tanker.