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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.

 

Yu Zhou Qi Hang Update

Yu Zhou Qi Hang Update

Yu Zhou Qi Hang
Photo: Taiwan Environmental Protection Dept

The 143 meter long, 12,135 dwt heavy lift vessel Yu Zhou Qi Hang has been driven ashore some 2.4 miles north of Yeliu Cape, Taiwan by Super Typhoon Kong-Rey. Reports state the vessel has sustained significant hull damage and one of the heavy gantry cranes has collapsed onto the shoreline. Authorities are monitoring pollution as the Yu Zhou Qi Hang had some 247 tons of heavy oil fuel and 37 tons of light oil in its fuel tanks. Authorities have placed booms around the entrances to harbors of Dongao, Yehliu and Guikong.

News reports state the vessel had lost engine power shortly after leaving Keelung which had not been initially reported.

Yu Zhou Qi Hang

Yu Zhou Qi Hang

Yu Zhou Qi Hang
Photo: rti.org.tw

On October 30, the 143 meter long, 12,135 dwt heavy lift vessel Yu Zhou Qi Hang became disabled off Cape Yehliu, Taiwan.  The Yu Zhou Qi Hang had departed from Jilo bound for Zhangzhou with a heavy cargo of three gantry cranes.  The vessel had travelled on a few hours when it stop making headway as it approached the outer edge of Super Typhoon Kong-Rey. With wind gusts up to 300 kilometers per hour and waves reaching 16 feet, the master of the Yu Zhou Qi Hang felt the vessel was in danger and requested assistance. Authorities initially dispatched tugboats to the scene, but they were driven back by the rough conditions.  The Yu Zhou Qi Hang dropped both its anchors just over half a mile offshore to keep the vessel from being blown ashore.

Yu Zhou Qi Hang
Photo: focustaiwan.tw

 

Fortunately, the Taiwanese Coast Guard had dispatched a patrol vessel that was able to reach the Yu Zhou Qi Hang. The patrol boat arrived on scene and was able to safely rescue all 17 crew off the heavy lift vessel.

Authorities are preparing the possible major oil spill if the Yu Zhou Qi Hang is blown ashore ripping open its fuel tanks. Reports state the area has a stockpile of absorbent pads that can be deployed.

Yu Zhou Qi Hang
Photo: taiwanenglishnews.com

The Yu Zhou Qi Hang had been an earlier incident on October 14. As the vessel arrived in Keelung, it allided with an older gantry crane on the dock causing it to collapse. The incident resulted in destruction of the crane and destroying five empty containers.