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Month: January 2017

USS Antietam

USS Antietam

USS Antietam
Photo: us navy

The 173 meter long, 9600 ton United States Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Antietam ran aground off the port of Yokosuka, Japan. The navy ship had at anchor when high winds caused the anchor to drag.  The vessel got underway to avoid being blown ashore, but it suffered a malfunction in its pitch control in both propellers. Unable to make headway, the USS Antietam was blown aground.

The missile cruiser struck bottom causing the vessel to shudder and damage the hull. No reports of injuries, but some 1100 gallons of oil was released into the sea. The USS Antietam was later towed back into port. Authorities report the US Navy was taking steps to clean up the pollution released.

Elbsailor

Elbsailor

ElbSailor
Photo: kn-online.de

The 158 meter long container ship Elbsailor became disabled on the Kiel Canal near Schact-Audorf, Germany. The Elbsailor was bound for St. Petersburg from Hamburg when it suffered engine failure. The crew quickly peformed an emergency anchor keeping the boxship from running aground. However, the Elbsailor swung into the fairway blocking all traffic.

ElbSailor
Photo: shz.de

Authorities were alerted and two tugs were dispatched to take the Elbsailor under tow. A few hours later the tugs towed the Elbsailor and proceeded to Klein-Königsförde where the vessel moored. Reports state the crew were assisted by technicians and restarted the engine. The Elbsailor proceeded towards Holtenau escorted by a tug. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Atlantic Osprey

Atlantic Osprey

Atlantic Osprey
Photo: independent.ie

The wooden fishing vessel Atlantic Osprey ran aground and sank off Balbriggan near Dublin, Ireland. The Atlantic Osprey was fishing razor clams when it suffered a power blackout after the main engine failed.  The crew attempted to restart the engine, but could not restore power before the vessel was blown onto an offshore sandbank near the Balbriggan harbour.   Waves pounded the wooden hull causing the seams to open up allowing water ingress.

The crew alerted local authorities the Atlantic Osprey was in danger and needed assistance. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene while the RNLI launched lifeboats from Howth Skerries and Clogherhead as part of the rescue effort. The Howth Skerries lifeboat was able to pull alongside the Atlantic Osprey and safely transfer all 5 crew. No reports of injuries.

After the crew were rescued, authorities attempted to keep the Atlantic Osprey afloat. Three pumps were placed on the trawler, but the flooding could not be brought under control. The vessel later partially sank a few hours later.

Reports state there are efforts to salvage the fishing vessel.  No signs of pollution were reported, but the vessel contained 400 litres of diesel fuel at the time of the incident.