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Month: June 2017

Theresa Arctic

Theresa Arctic

Theresa Arctic
Photo: the-star.co.ke

On June 20, the 229 meter long, 84040 dwt tanker Theresa Arctic ran aground off Kilifi, Kenya. The Theresa Arctic was headed to Mombasa with 27,500 tons of vegetable oil from Port Klang, Malaysia when it ran up on a reef.  The crew requested assistance and a tug was dispatched to the scene. The tanker could not be refloated, but the tug was able to keep the Theresa Arctic from being pushed higher onto the reef by strong winds. Additional tugs were dispatched and were monitoring the situation.

Theresa Arctic
Photo: twitter@nokesdj

The tanker was reported to be firmly aground, but no reports of water ingress or pollution released. A vessel has been dispatched from Beira, Mozambique to the site to help with lightering some of the cargo.

 

 

Ingvild

Ingvild

Ingvild
Photo: firdaposten.no

The 99 meter long, 4418 dwt cargo vessel Ingvild ran aground near Florø, Norway. The vessel had been proceeding at full speed when it ran into the shallows. A tug was dispatched and was able to pull the Ingvild free a few hours later. No reports of injuries to the 15 crew, damage or pollution released. Local reports state many vessels have run aground in the area before.

El Almirante

El Almirante

El Almirante
Photo: elcolombiano.com

The multi-deck passenger ship El Almirante sank on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir near Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia. Just after the El Almirante departed from the pier between 130 to 170 passengers, there was a loud bang below decks right before the vessel began to sink.  One account states the passengers were ordered to one side of the vessel then another before directing them to the forward section as the vessel sank. Passengers on the lower decks were ordered to break the glass and jump into the water. Another account states some passengers on the lower decks were blocked by other passengers on the higher decks. A survivor stated he had to wait until the vessel sank before he could reach safety of the upper decks.

All accounts state the El Almirante sank in less than 15 minutes trapping multiple persons on the lower decks.  Several small boats nearby witnessed the sinking and rushed to the scene.  Pulling people from the water, they saved nearly 100 people.

Initial reports state some 99 people had been rescued, but 9 persons had perished.  Some 28 persons were reported missing while 24 had been taken to hospital due to injuries.

A report states that the El Almirante did not carry enough life preservers for all 170 passengers on board at the time of the incident. It concluded that several more passengers may have been saved as many had been able to escape the sinking vessel, but could not swim and drowned.  Authorities have dispatched a group of divers to the scene to search the vessel for any missing persons.

The cause of the water ingress is not yet known. Reports state the vessel had been in two previous incidents, one near a place called Fantasy Island and another off Malecón.  One survivor stated the vessel was overloaded and in poor condition. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.