Curtas do Bryant´s

Texas – oil spill response

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that more than 13,000 gallons of marine diesel fuel were spilled into waters near Port Arthur following an accident involving the towing vessel Savage Pathfinder and the motor vessel Endurance. Response efforts are underway. The incident is under investigation. There were no reported injuries. (8/30/18) [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/209bd8d].

USCG – BWMS type approval certificate

The US Coast Guard issued a bulletin stating that a ballast water management system (BWMS) type approval certificate has been issued to Wartsila Water Systems Ltd. This is the tenth such certificate issued to date. (8/30/18) [http://mariners.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2018/08/30/8-30-2018-marine-safety-center-issues-ballast-water-management-system-type-approval-certificate-to-wartsila-water-systems-ltd/].

NTSB – towing vessel sinking

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) posted the report of its investigation of the 23 August 2017 sinking of the towing vessel Gracie Claire, which was moored in Tiger Pass near mile marker 10 on the Lower Mississippi River in Venice, Louisiana. While taking on fuel and water, the towboat began to slowly list to starboard. After the wake of a passing crewboat washed onto the towing vessel's stern, the list increased. In a short period of time, water entered an open door to the engine room and flooded the space. The towboat sank partially, its bow being held above the water by the lines connected to the dock. All three crewmembers escaped to the dock without injury. Approximately 1,100 gallons of diesel fuel were discharged into the waterway. Damage to the Gracie Claire was estimated at $565,000. The probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the towing vessel was its decreased stability and freeboard due to undetected flooding through a hull leak in the rudder compartment, which made the vessel susceptible to the adverse effects of boarding water from the wake of a passing vessel. MAB 18-19 (8/30/18) [https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAB1819.pdf]. Fonte: Dennis Bryant.