Marine accident round-up : 13th April 2018

Vita Management SA, which operated bulk carrier Panamax Vitaspirit (IMO 9231377) that crashed into a 200-years old mansion on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait on April 7th, has expressed its regret at the incident and has promised a “thorough investigation”. “Our biggest consolation is that there were no injuries or environmental pollution. We sincerely thank Turkish authorities for their help during the incident. We would also like to express our determination of investigation into the causes of the incident in all its aspects”, Vita Management SA has said. The bulker was carrying 63,000 mt of barley to Saudi Arabia from Russia when it crashed into the shore of the Bosphorus Strait under the Second Bosphorus Bridge near Anatolian Fortress, in the Asian part of Istanbul, causing extensive damage to the mansion. A technical problem caused the crash. Vitaspirit would remain anchored until further notice, said Vita Management. 2001-built, Malta-flagged, 38,732 gt Vitaspirit is owned by Odyssey Navigation Co Ltd care of Vita Management SA of Piraeus, Greece. It is entered with UK P&I Club (Area Group Piraeus H1) on behalf of member Odyssey Navigation Co Ltd.

General cargo ship Wilson Limerick (IMO 9617301), having sailed from Dunkirk on Apr 5 at 11.40 p.m. and being bound to Gdansk, was disabled and adrift in the Northsea north of Norderney before dawn on April 7th. The vessel was taken on tow the same afternoon by German tug Wulf 9, towards Cuxhaven. It was safely berthed at the Steubenhöft on April 8th around 02:00. 2012-built, Cyprus-flagged, 2,589 gt Wilson Limerick is owned by Bremen Rhenus Schiffinvest care of manager RMS Schiffahrtskontor Bremen GmbH of Bremen, Germany. ISM manager is Hermann Lohmann Schiffahrts of Haren (Ems) Germany. It is entered with Hanseatic.

General cargo ship Sunshine (IMO 7526699) was subjected to a Port State Control (PSC) inspection at the port of Kalymnos on April 4th. Following the inspection the vessel was detained at Kalymnos under Paris MOU regulations. The PSC inspectors found serious deficiencies and safety discrepancies in SOLAS, BoD MLC 2006, ICLL BoD, MARPOL BoD and ISM CODE. 1977-built, Togo-flagged, 3,136 gt Sunshine is owned and managed by Liliana Shipping Co Ltd of Beirut, Lebanon. ISM manager is Faros Shipping Co SARL of Beirut, Lebanon.

Passenger ship Flying Dolphin XVII (IMO 8331467) suffered damage to her starboard main engine while sailing between the ports of Portokelia and Spetses on a scheduled service from Porto Heli to Spetses, Ermioni, Hydra, Poros and Piraeus during the morning of April 10th. The hydrofoil returned to port and safely dropped off its two passengers, who were taken care of the company. The ferry was detained until the damage was repaired and seaworthiness approved. 1984-built, 162 gt Flying Dolphin XVII is owned and managed by Hellenic Seaways of Piraeus, Greece. It is entered with British Marine.

Offshore support vessel Safe Swift (IMO 8302894) allided with the oil platform Sabratha Platform as a result of a strong storm during the evening of April 9th, about 110km from the Libyan coast in the Bahr Essalam offshore field There were no casualties and only slight damage to the platform. Safe Swift sustained damage to her upper deck mechanisms and gear. The bulwark at the port side bow was dented. The National Oil Corporation has instigated an investigation into the incident.

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/vessel-hits-oil-and-gas-platform-libya-coast

The removal of grounded passenger/cargo RoRo Mestre Simao (IMO 9690482) will be undertaken by Resolve Salvage & Fire, which has already removed the fuel and oils inside the vessel. Work on the site is due to begin this month so that it can be concluded in the end of May. 2013-built, Portugal-flagged, 748 gt Mestre Simao is owned and managed by Atlanticoline SA of Ponta Delgada, Azores. It is entered with Shipowners’ P&I Club on behalf of Seguradoras Unidas Acoreana (Atlanticoline SA).

Cruise ship MSC Armonia (IMO 9210141) struck/grazed a dock at a speed of 11.5 knots before running aground on the morning of April 10th in Roatán off the coast of Honduras. MSC Armonia currently sails seven-night Caribbean itineraries with stops in Havana, Cuba, Jamaica, and Belize, among others. Following repairs to what MSC Cruises described as “minor damage”, the vessel resumed its cruise. During the delay, passengers were allowed to go ashore following ‘a slight delay,’ and excursions operated. 2001-built, Panama-flagged, 65,542gt MSC Armonia is owned by Newco Armonia SA care of manager MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co SA of Geneva, Switzerland. ISM manager is MSC Cruise Management UK Ltd of Uxbridge, UK. It is entered with West of England Club (Claims Team 2) on behalf of Newco Armonia SA.

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/repaired-msc-armonia-sails-on-after-striking-the-pier-in-roatan.html