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Tag: Tugboat

Kyuei Maru No. 18

Kyuei Maru No. 18

Kyuei Maru No. 18
Photo: asahi.com

On September 4, the 30 meter long, 442 gt tugboat Kyuei Maru No. 18 and the 2500 gt crane barge Tukasa ran aground on a breakwater at Hyogo, Kobe, Japan.  The vessels had been at anchor when typhoon Jebi made landfall nearby.  Strong winds caused the anchor lines to drag and the vessels were blown up on a breakwater.  Both the Kyuei Maru No. 18 and the Tukasa sustained hull damage.  Reports state an oil boom was placed around the Kyuei Maru No. 18 as some fuel pollution had been released. No reports of injuries.

George H. Ledcor

George H. Ledcor

George H. Ledcor
photo: vancouversun.com

On August 14, the 18 meter long tugboat George H. Ledcor sank on the Fraser River between Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The tug was towing a gravel barge when it suddenly capsized and sank. The four crew on board were thrown into the water and later rescued by a nearby tug.  No reports of injuries.

A sheen was spotted over the sunken tug as diesel fuel is released. Authorities place booms around the wreck site and divers are dispatched to plug fuel vents on the tugboat. Reports state the George H. Ledcor had nearly 22,000 litres of fuel on board at the time of the sinking. 

A crane barge was dispatched to raise the George H. Ledcor from the bottom. The Canadian Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Sea Cypress

Sea Cypress

Sea Cypress
Photo: jerseyshoreonline.com

The 22 meter long tugboat Sea Cypress ran aground the early morning hours of July 24.  The tugboat had broken free from its mooring and it’s propeller became entangled.  Disabled and near the shoreline, the Sea Cypress drifted until it ran up on a  sandbar near Lavallette, New Jersey.  The Sea Cypress remained aground until the afternoon.  With the rising tide, two tugs were able to pull the Sea Cypress free.  No reports of injuries to the four crew, damage or pollution released.