The 68 meter long self-propelled barge Euroship 1 grounded on the Danube River near Medved’ov, Slovakia. The vessel with its cargo of 30 tons of steel coils became disabled after its rudder was jammed by a log. The Euroship 1 drifted as it was pulled by the strong current towards shore. The vessel finally went aground onto an embankment. Later the Euroship 1 began to list as the water level on Danube River dropped. The list increased allowing water ingress into the cargo holds. Booms were placed around the vessel after some pollution was released. Authorities have requested that the 1,700 gallons of diesel fuel along with 70 litres of oil to be pumped off. Reports state the Euroship 1 suffered significant damage beyond repair and the vessel will not be salvaged. No reports of injuries.
The 15 meter long fishing vessel Coral Strand went aground in the fog off Garrylough, Ireland. The wooden hull vessel had struck the rocks and quickly filled with water. The crew sent out a distress call before the four men abandoned ship into the liferaft. The crew of the Coral Strand were rescued a short time later by the trawler Boy River. No injuries were reported. The RNLI lifeboat from Dunmore East arrived on scene and transferred the Coral Strand crew off the Boy River. The lifeboat assessed the Coral Strand’s status and determined the vessel had sustained too much damage to attempt to pump-out and refloat the vessel. The Irish Coastguard reported later that the salvage was not possible and the Coral Strand was left to breakup on the rocks. Some pollution and debris would be released in the area.
Unified Command has confirmed that the Kulluk, towed by the anchor handling vessel Aiviq, approached its safe harbor location in Kiliuda Bay at approximately 10 a.m., Alaska Time. The final location for assessment within the Bay will be determined by environmental conditions, including weather.
The Kulluk traveled 45 nautical miles since the start of the tow, roughly 12 hours ago. Average speed has been 3.5 knots or 4 mph.
The Kulluk was refloated from its Ocean Bay position, off Sitkalidak Island, late Jan. 6. It will remain connected to its support vessels while it undergoes assessment in Kiliuda Bay, located about 30 miles north of Ocean Bay.
The Coast Guard CutterAlex Haley escorted the tow to Kiliuda Bay along with two oil spill response vessels and other support vessels. A 500-yard radius safety zone around the Kulluk followed the escort and remains in place in Kiliuda Bay.
Monitoring by the oil spill response vessels escorting the tow confirmed that there were no signs of a discharge of oil during the transit.
The combined fleet has 15,000 feet of boom should it be needed. Additional boom has been staged in various locations.
The Kulluk has been grounded since Dec. 31, after it broke tow during severe weather conditions.
Unified Command continues to coordinate with the Old Harbor Native Corporation to assist with any necessary cleanup activities. Additional spill response land resources have been staged in Old Harbor.
Yesterday afternoon, salvage teams successfully attached the main tow line to the Kulluk drilling unit.
The Salvage Master had the discretion to initiate the tow should favorable conditions occur throughout the night. At approximately 10:10 p.m., Jan. 6 the Kulluk was refloated.
