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Seawind Abandoned and Lost

Seawind Abandoned and Lost

The 101 meter long, 3639 dwt freighter Seawind sank near the port of Fortaleza, Brazil.  The Seawind had been at anchor when it suffered water ingress.   The water ingress was uncontrolled and eventually flooded the vessel until it sank in 10 feet of water.  The vessel’s superstructure and bow remained above the waterline.  No reports of injuries.

Photo: opovo.com.br

The vessel had been at Fortaleza since May 2011 when the vessel had suffered a failure in the engine’s cooling system.   The crew headed to the nearest port which was Fortaleza where it dropped anchor.   The vessel stayed in Fortaleza, but was seized by authorities as collateral for a debt.   The crew remained on board until October 2011 when they gave up on receiving back pay leaving the vessel abandoned with some 40 tons of granite cargo still on board.

An oil spill was spotted around the vessel shortly after the vessel sank.   The Brazilian Navy dispatched a vessel to the scene and placed a boom around the Seawind to contain the pollution.   Divers were called in to inspect the hull and found damage near the stern.   No word on salvage attempts.

 

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Vale Beijing Update

Vale Beijing Update

The massive ore-carrier Vale Beijing was reported to be towed to Fortaleza, Brazil for repairs.   The vessel is to be anchored in water clearer to allow divers to make repairs to the hull.   The latest report states the hull has suffered multiple large cracks in the outer hull which allowed water ingress into the cargo hold.  Brazilian authorities have requested the owners to have the fuel removed from the vessel to prevent any oil pollution being released.   No details have been released to the cause of the cracks in the ballast tanks at this time.   A recent report states the design of the Vale Beijing was altered from the other massive Valemax ore carriers constructed at other shipyards.   The report did not state if this change may have weaken the vessel’s structural integrity, but it may be a factor.    The owners of the Vale Beijing, STX Pan Ocean Co. stated the vessel would be repaired and be placed back into service.

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