A survey inspection by a specialist team of divers this morning has confirmed that the OS 35’s bulbous bow is currently submerged 1.2 metres into the sandy seabed.
The ship is beached on the East Side of the Rock, after it clipped the LNG tanker ADAM LNG as the former was manoeuvring to exit the Bay.
There is significant damage to the vessel’s starboard side, including a gash amidship, below the waterline, measuring approximately ten metres by four metres.
All crew members are safe and well, with no injuries reported, and are remaining on board.
The ship was directed to the East Side by the Port Authority to ensure it could be beached, to minimise the risk to the ship and its crew.
The bow of the vessel is resting on the seabed in 17 metres of water, listing only by three degrees to starboard, around 200 metres off Catalan Bay.
Number Six says the crew of 24 remain onboard, at the request of the Captain of the vessel, although the ship is ready to be evacuated if necessary.
Tugs were deployed, and around 400 metres of boom are available on scene ready to be deployed around the vessel in the event of an oil spill.
The OS 35 is flagged in Tuvalu and is presently loaded with steel rebars.
It is loaded with 183 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, 250 tonnes of diesel and 27 tonnes of lube oil and was leaving Gibraltar to head to Vlissengen in the Netherlands;
The Port Authority is continuously reviewing the situation, with the Contingency Council convened and the Governor, Chief Minister and Minister for the Port being briefed by the Captain of the Port.
The vessel ADAM LNG appears to have suffered no significant damage, except for a superficial dent to its bulbous bow.
No injuries have been reported among the crew and there has been no water ingress.
This has been confirmed by divers and by an internal survey.
A specialist team of marine salvers from the Netherlands, is due to arrive in Gibraltar early on Tuesday afternoon to conduct a full on-site assessment Immediately on their arrival.
The Government is advised that weather conditions are forecast to be good in the coming days, which will assist in operations moving forward.
The Port of Algeciras is working in close coordination with the Gibraltar Port Authority, the tug Luz de Mar and the Salvamar Denebola is at the location. Algeciras has also been authorised to deploy assets including a Salvamento Maritimo helicopter, to undertake an aerial survey of the OS 35.
All port operations were suspended by the port Authority for around 4 hours and the Port fully reopened this morning for all activity.
A notice to mariners has been issued with a 200m exclusion zone already in place around the OS 35. This will remain in force until further notice.
All port operations were suspended by the Port Authority for approximately 4 hours and the Gibraltar Port has now fully reopened for all activity.
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24 авг 2024
