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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.

YM Unicorn

YM Unicorn

YM Unicorn
Photo: xindemarinenews.com

On the night of December 11, the 333 meter long, 103,235 dwt container ship YM Unicorn (IMO: 9462732) ran aground off the lighthouse at the entrance to port of Keelung, Taiwan. The YM Unicorn was entering the port of Keelung from Kaohsiung when it veered off course and went aground. The container ship sustained hull damage to its fore-peak tank resulting in water ingress. Authorities dispatched four tugs to assist in refloating the YM Unicorn. The tugs were able to pull the container ship free within 20 minutes and escorted it to its berth. Reports state the vessel undergo repairs before continuing a voyage to Los Angeles, California.

YM Unicorn
Photo: xindemarinenews.com

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Liquid Gem

Liquid Gem

Liquid Gem
Photo: pronews.tw

On the night of December 7, the 99 meter long, 5000 dwt tanker Liquid Gem (IMO: 8688717) ran aground in the port of Taichung, Taiwan. The tanker had been at anchor outside the port when the anchor began to drag due to stormy conditions. Unable to get the main engine started, the tanker drifted until it ran aground near a dock half a mile south of Taichung. Reports state several crew jumped overboard into the water fearing the Liquid Gem would capsized as the tanker developed a port side list. A patrol vessel was unable to approach the vessel due to the strong current so a large crane was dispatched to rescue the crew. The crane hoisted the 14 crew off the tanker safely. Authorities were able to rescue 2 of the 3 crew who jumped into the sea. Authorities continue the search for the missing crew person.

The Liquid Gem sustained hull damage and water ingress in the engine room. Authorities stated that oil pollution had been released and that booms would be placed around the vessel. On December 9, a salvage team was able to seal the exhaust valves to prevent further pollution being released. Reports state there was still diesel fuel in the tanker’s fuel tanks. Authorities stated the cleaning of the oil pollution and pumping out the water ingress would be completed by December 10.