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Tag: Tanker

Larus

Larus

Larus
Photo: French Navy’s Atlantic Maritime Prefecture

On the night of December 7, the 100 meter long, 5720 dwt tanker Larus (IMO: 1065289) went adrift off the French coast in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Larus had been at anchor since late November after it suffered a technical fault. The tanker dropped anchor in Bay of Saint-Brieuc waiting for a commercial tug to tow to a shipyard in Estonia for repairs. Before a tug could arrive, the heavy weather from Storm Durragh caused the Larus‘s anchor to drag.  The tanker requested assistance from French authorities as the vessel drifted towards the shoreline.  Authorities dispatched the rescue tug Abeille Bourbon which reached the Larus around midnight.

The tug attempted to pass a towline to the Larus but it was not successful. Authorities decided to dispatch a response team to assist with the recovery. A helicopter flew the team out to the tanker and lowered them onto the deck. With the team onboard, the towline was established allowing the Abeille Bourbon to tow the Larus to the protection of the port at Brest.  No reports of injuries, damage 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.

 

Collision off Algeciras

Collision off Algeciras

Gloria Maris
Photo: Salvamento Marítimo

On the morning of December 3, the 274 meter long, 156620 dwt tanker Gloria Maris (IMO:9899997) collided with the 400 meter long, 229039 dwt container ship HMM St Petersburg (IMO: 9868364) in the Strait of Gibraltar some 9 nautical miles off Algeciras, Spain. The Gloria Maris departed from Cartagena with 25 crew in ballast struck the HMM St Petersburg which was headed to Algeciras with 24 crew on board. The bow of the Gloria Maris sustained hull damage while the HMM St Petersburg port side hull was holed, but there were no injuries or pollution released.

Authorities have detained both vessel until they could be inspected for seaworthiness and an investigation could be done into the incident.