Casualty Week May 27
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Lloyd’s Casualty Week contains information from worldwide sources of Marine, Non-Marine and Aviation casualties together with other reports Lloyd's relevant to the shipping, transport and insurance communities CasualtyWeek May 27 2005 BP’s ‘green’ Alaska tankers halted due to rudder cracks Trouble hits vessels designed especially for the rigours of the Gulf of Alaska, writes Rajesh Joshi in New York- Monday May 23 2005 WO Jones Act tanker They use seawater instead of oil to from the information available he did not newbuildings owned by BP, lubricate propeller shafts, eliminating the consider this a critical safety matter. T described as “the most possibility of accidental oil leaks. He said rudder cracking was “fairly environmentally friendly tankers ever Pablo Urrutia, a BP spokesman, told normal” under certain conditions such as built”, have been laid up near Seattle Lloyd’s List a routine scheduled turbulence in the water or excessive after large cracks were discovered in maintenance inspection on the Alaskan vibration. He did not rule out design their rudders. Frontier on May 14 revealed cracks on the flaws, but said these were unlikely. One is headed for repairs at an plating of the two rudders, including one “Induced vibrations into the rudder can unspecified Vancouver shipyard and could fissure 9ft long. be caused by the propeller or by design be out of service until July, BP said. The Alaskan Explorer was then factors such as the shape of the hull,” he The other is to be patched up and inspected as a “precaution” and revealed said. should resume trading in Alaska later this three cracks of up to 15 inches in one of “However, with the computer week, subject to regulatory approval. its rudders, Mr Urrutia said. Both ships technology available today, it is less The 193,050 dwt “Alaska-class” are laid up in Port Angeles, Washington, likely to be a design flaw.” He said computer models usually sisterships, Alaskan Frontier and Alaskan according to local reports. predicted the static and dynamic forces to Explorer, are the first two in a quartet Mr Urrutia said a team comprising BP, Alaska Tanker and classification society which rudders were subjected based on contracted with National Steel and American Bureau of Shipping was known factors such as speed. It was Shipbuilding Company of San Diego, a investigating the cause of the cracks. conceivable that the model used to test General Dynamics subsidiary, for a price Once this was identified the Alaskan the BP design “simply underestimated the estimated between $210m and $250m Frontier would head for repairs in dynamic force generated in Alaskan apiece. Vancouver which would last “however waters”. The ships were delivered in August long it may take — perhaps until July”. The Nassco series has been built last year and March this year, with the BP would hold Nassco responsible for keeping the Exxon Valdez in mind. It remaining two deliveries scheduled for the damage, said Mr Urrutia. represents a “new generation” of tankers late this year and in 2006. They are He added that BP anticipated the capable of carrying huge loads safely. operated by Alaska Tanker Company, a Alaskan Explorer could be repaired The Nassco ships can carry 1.3m US joint venture between BP, Keystone quickly and resume trade after ABS and barrels of crude oil, or more than a day’s and Overseas Shipholding Group. US Coast Guard approvals. North Slope oil production. According to Nassco each ship has a He added: “The best thing was the BP has earmarked the quartet to serve life of 35 years. Designed especially for damage was discovered under scheduled the North Slope to US west coast sector. the rigours of the Gulf of Alaska, the maintenance and did not compromise The Alaskan Frontier has carried 25 ships feature a twin diesel-electric public safety or cause a serious incident.” loads since its delivery while the Alaskan propulsion system with redundant A naval architect not connected with Explorer has been sidelined after only one engines, shafts and screws. either Nassco or BP told Lloyd’s List that voyage, according to company officials. EDITOR Stephen Legall Tel +44 020 7017 5228 ADVERTISEMENTS SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mike Smith Peter Barker Tel +44 (0) 20 7017 4488 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 4779 Fax +44 (0) 20 7017 5007 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7017 5007 email [email protected] Email: [email protected] Lloyd's is the registered trade mark of the Society incorporated by the Lloyd's Act 1871 by the name of Lloyd's A complete online archive covering the last 10 years of Lloyd’s Casualty Week. For further information please call +44 (0) 20 7017 4779. Summary of Major Cases in this week’s issue of Lloyd’s Casualty Week Vessel Type Flag Class GT DWT Blt Casualty ARION general PAN AB ABS 4,362 7,140 1985 Salvage services rendered to vessel under Lloyd's Open Form 12 May 2005 due to rudder problems about 700 miles east of Salvador. Vessel under tow to Rio de Janeiro, ETA 23 May. ATLANTIC WIND chem/oil CYP LR 8,750 13,845 1982 Anchored in lat 50 00.1N, long 05 21.6W, May carrier 13 due to turbo-charger problems. Vessel not disabled but further engine useage would cause further damage. Tug towed vessel to Falmouth, berthed May 14. Effecting repairs May 15. BIG SEA 5 product THA — 699 1,750 1982 Vessel capsized in upper province of Prachuap tanker Khiri Khan, Thailand in heavy seas May 10. Oil spilt. Crew of a boat travelling with vessel unable to save vessel. FRANLKLIN general ATG GL 4,450 5,585 1999 Vessel experienced engine problems at STRAIT Dominica May 7. Vessel arrived Port of Spain May 9 and was attended by class surveyor from GL. Vessel has suspected crankshaft or bearing damage and towed to Curacao by tug, ETA May 18. HUI LONG general HKG GL 12,233 16,113 1996 Vessel abandoned by its crew in lat 05 57N, long 84 22E, May 18 due to 25 degree list. All 23 crew rescued. ISARGAS lpg LBR GL 4,200 5,687 1991 In collision with Phoenix Beta in lat 51 23N, long 04 13E, May 16. Vessel grounded after the collision, refloated and towed to Antwerp for inspection. Forepeak heavily damaged. MIMOSA tug/ VNM NV 1,242 1,869 1982 Sank near Dai Hung oilfield, Vietnam, May 12 supply following a collision with chemical/oil carrier Trinity. All 16 crew rescued. Small amount of fuel spilled. Investigation under way. MYLINGUR fishing FRO NV 459 — 1973 Sank during a storm in Patuakhali district, southern Bangladesh May 15. Vessel was struck by trawler Salleq at Torshavn May 16. Vessel sustained heavy damage, took in seawater and standing on the bottom. Rescue team is trying to fix hole, 1.8 metre by one metre so it can be taken to Torshavn shipyard. OLYMPIAS general VCT HR 5,567 8,199 1976 Had engine-room fire in northern Persian Gulf May 11. All 27 crew abandoned vessel and rescued by US Naval vessel. Reported on fire and adrift in lat 28 41.1N, long 50 26.7E, May 12. PHOENIX BETA crude HKG AB ABS 59,831 110,000 2003 In collision with Isargas in lat 51 23N, long 04 oil 13E, May 16. Vessel is proceeding to tanker Antwerp under own power for inspection, no tug assistance required. Damage to one forepeak ballast tank and holed above waterline. VOLGONEFT 107 product RUS — 3,463 4,190 1972 Vessel ran aground in the entry to Neva River tanker May 18. Vessel sustained damage to forepeak of the hull without leakage of cargo. No injuries to crew. Vessel will be refloated when the cause of the casualty is ascertained. (ii) CONTENTS The following reports are reprinted from Lloyd’s List Reports appear in alphabetical incurred. -- Lloyd's Agents. (Note -- order under the following Armstrong sailed Gladstone Apr 8 and headings and relevant page subsequently sailed Safaga May 8.) number: ATLANTIC WIND (Cyprus) London, May 14 -- Following received Marine, including Overdue from Coastguard Falmouth MRCC, & Missing Vessels 1 dated today: Chemical/oil carrier Atlantic Wind (8750 gt, built 1982), in Piracy 8 AEGEAN SUN (Greece) See under "Miscellaneous." ballast, was reported anchored in lat 50 00.1N, long 05 21.6W, at 2136, Port State Control 9 ANNIE B. (Belgium) UTC, May 13, due to turbo-charger London, May 19 -- Fishing Annie B.: problems. The vessel was not disabled Seizures & Arrests 9 Insurers have not decided yet what to but using the engine could have do with this vessel, whether it will be caused further damage and tug repaired or scrapped. assistance was requested. A tug was Pipeline Accidents 10 contracted and the vessel was towed to API IV (Argentina) Falmouth, where it berthed alongside Weather & Navigation 10 Buenos Aires, May 13 -- In the Queens Wharf at 0920, UTC, May 14. morning of May 5, trawler API IV had Falmouth, May 15 -- Chemical/oil carrier Atlantic Wind arrived Earthquakes 12 a rope in the propellers, which left the vessel without propulsion. She was Falmouth at 1000, May 14, in tow of towed to Puerto Madryn roads on May tug/supply Anglian Princess. The Volcanic Activity 13 7 by trawler Api II. Divers removed vessel secured alongside Queens the rope tangled in the propeller and, Wharf at 1130 same day, to effect engine repairs. -- Lloyd's Agents. Political & Civil Unrest 13 after loading some supplies, the vessel weighed anchor and sailed on May 8. -- Lloyd's Agents. AURA (Cambodia) Kidnappings 20 London, May 18 -- A press report, ARCA (Canada) dated May 17, states: Cambodian- Labour Disputes 20 Montreal, May 13 -- Tank barge Arca flagged general cargo Aura (1995 gt, has been repaired and is back built 1966) has run aground after striking a waterside mansion in the Awards & Settlements 22 operating as usual, bunkering ships at the anchorage and at various piers.