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Collision Near Eemshaven

Collision Near Eemshaven

Kosterberg
Photo: Shipspotting.com

The 89 meter long, 3661 dwt tanker Kosterberg collided with with the 5364 dwt pontoon barge Seeponton 1 under tow by the 31 meter long, 210 dwt tug Wal on the Ems near Eemshaven.  The Kosterberg attempted to pass the Seeponton 1 in dense fog when the two vessels touched.Five meters of the Kosterberg’s port hull was dented  with simliar damage along the Seeponton 1’s starboard hull.  All damage was above the waterline.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

WAL

The Kosterberg was able to proceed to Emden where it safely unload its cargo of 2500 tons of heavy fuel.  The Wal and Seeponton 1 continued on its voyage from Bremerhaven to Papenburg.

SEEPONTON 1
Barge Seeponton 1

The water police launched an investigation into the incident.  Reports state visibility was limited to just 1000 meters at the time of the collision.   The Kosterberg was fined 7000 € for a safety violation and was detained at Emden.

 

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Victory / James L Kuber

Victory / James L Kuber

VICTORY - James L Kuber

The integrated tug Victory / barge James L. Kuber became disabled in bad weather on Lake Superior off Stannard Rock near Marquette, Michigan.  The integrated vessels had suffered a mechanical failure allowing the 673 foot long barge to break free.    With 20 knot winds and 12 foot waves, the tug was having difficulty reconnecting the vessels again. The Victory requested assistance with the United States Coast Guard responding.   The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene.   A cutter was also dispatched, but turned around before reaching the vessels.   The bulk freighter Saginaw along with the tug Anlian Lady were nearby and were asked to assist.   The Saginaw arrived on scene and provided a lee to allow the Victory crew to reconnect to the James L. Kuber.    The Saginaw then escorted the Victory towards Sault Ste Marie.   No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.   The Victory had some 8,500 gallons of diesel fuel on board while the James L. Kuber was loaded with 21,000 tons of iron ore.

Saginaw
Photo: MV Saginaw
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Kulluk and Aiviq

Kulluk and Aiviq

Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg

The 266 foot diameter Shell oil exploration rig Kulluk went aground in the Gulf of Alaska off Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.   The rig was en route to Seattle for maintenance under the tow of the 360 foot long tugboat Aiviq when it encountered heavy seas and strong winds.  The Aiviq suffered a power blackout when its engines failed.   Both vessels went adrift some 50 miles from Kodiak Island.   The crew requested assistance with a coast guard cutter and another tug dispatched to the scene.  The tug Guardsmaan arrived and took the Aiviq under tow.   Shortly afterwards, the weather caused the towline to separate.  Several attempts to keep the towline connected failed as the vessels continued to drift closer to Kodiak Island.  A total of 18 crewmen were airlifted off the Kulluk to safety by Coast Guard helicopters.  The storm increased with 30 foot waves and 70 mph gusts as the Kulluk ran aground off shore.    No reports of injuries.

Severe weather around Kodiak Island was continuing to impede salvage operations involving the Kulluk.  Crews have not been able to directly assess the situation on the oil rig. A Coast Guard helicopter did a visual inspection of the Kulluk and found the hull intact and no signs of pollution released.  The Kulluk  had some 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil on board at the time of the grounding.
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley and an additional support vessel are standing by to assist as needed. Unified Command continues to implement contingency plans, including staging spill response equipment to the area.  The priorities for Unified Command continue to be the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment. Nearly 600 people are involved in the response.

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