Towboat - Shipwreck Log

Patrick J. Studdert

December 30, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the evening of December 29, the 28 meter long towboat Patrick J. Studdert (MMSI: 367534690) collided with the 225 meter long, 77073 dwt bulk carrier Clara B (IMO: 9304083) on the Mississippi River near the Hale Boggs Bridge in Luling, Louisiana. The Patrick J. Studdert sustained hull damage and uncontrolled water ingress from the collision. The five crew on board the towboat were forced to abandoned ship before the vessel sank. All the crew would later be rescued and taken to hospital for evaluation. The Clara B did not report any significant damage and proceeded to anchor nearby. No reports of injuries on either vessel.

Reports state the Patrick J. Studdert sank in 90 feet of water and a sheen of diesel fuel pollution was visible over the wreck. The Coast Guard and local authorities are monitoring the wreck for any further pollution being released. The incident is under investigation.

Shoei Maru

November 24, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the evening of November 23, the 14 meter long, 19 gt towboat Shoei Maru collided with the 230 meter long, 81,043 dwt bulk carrier Yiannis N. G. (IMO: 9701308) in Osaka Bay near Kobe, Japan. Reports state the Yiannis N. G. had struck the Shoei Maru causing the towboat to capsize. The Japan Coast Guard and the local fire department launched a search and rescue operation looking for the three crew of the Shoei Maru. One of the crew was found conscious in the water. He would be rescued and later taken to hospital. Reports state another of the crew was found trapped in the overturned vessel. A search for the missing crew person is still ongoing.

Reports state there was no report of injuries to the 21 crew of the Yiannis N. G. and there was no damage to the bulk carrier. Authorities state they have launched an investigation into the incident.

CMT 252

November 21, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the late morning of November 13, the barge CMT 252 caught fire on the Mobile River near the Cochrane-Africatown bridge in Mobile, Alabama. The 17 meter long towboat Judson B (MMSI: 367004950) was pushing a string of barges when the CMT 252 loaded with a cargo of crushed cars started to billow out dense smoke. The Judson B pulled the CMT 252 away from the other barges a distance away as local firefighters dispatched a fire boat along with a drone with thermal cameras. Assisted by the 28 meter long tugboat Lisa Cooper, the fire fighters contained the blaze later the same day.