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Large ships in collision off
Gibraltar, one partly sinks
Large bulk carrier collides
with oil tanker and sinks at the bow
The Panamanian cargo Vessel NEW FLAME, carrying a cargo of
scrap metal and the Danish Product Tanker TORM GERTRUDE collided in
Gibraltar waters, 1 kilometre south of Europa Point, Gibraltar at
05.55 hrs yesterday, Sunday 12th August 2007.
The NEW FLAME had just left Gibraltar bound for Turkey. The TORM
GERTRUDE was heading inbound for the Port of Algeciras in Spain from
the Eastern Mediterranean.
As a result of the collision both vessels were damaged. The TORM
GERTRUDE proceeded to the Port of Algeciras in Spain. The vessel is
currently in a safe condition.
The damage sustained by the NEW FLAME resulted in her taking in water
with Nos. 1 and 2 holds being completely flooded. This caused the
vessel to start sinking by the bow, at which point the crew of 23
abandoned ship safely.
The vessel then drifted to a nearby reef, where it came to rest. The
current situation is that the bow of the vessel is resting on the reef
and the remainder of the vessel, from amidships to the stern, is above
the surface of the water.
The Gibraltar Port Authority activated its Emergency Response Plan and
deployed the necessary resources to the scene of the incident.
The Gibraltar Port Authority have deployed divers to the vessel to
inspect the damage and a full on-board inspection is being carried out
by the Gibraltar Maritime Surveyors. Options are being considered for
the removal of the vessel’s fuel to avoid any oil spill. Anti-oil
spill resources are on standby alongside the vessel in case the need
arises.
The Gibraltar Maritime Administration has commenced an investigation
into the collision and also into how the vessel NEW FLAME departed
from the Port of Gibraltar without the necessary clearance. Such
investigations are standard procedure in these incidents.
The Minister for Shipping, The Hon Joe Holliday, was immediately
informed of the incident and visited Europa Point to view the vessel
at first hand. He has since been in attendance at the Gibraltar Port
Authority Incident Control Room.
The Minister commented
"This collision of two vessels is a serious incident. All the
necessary resources are being deployed to address the situation and to
ensure environmental safety. Once again, as in the case of the ‘’Samothraki’’
incident, I would like to express my satisfaction at the magnificent
and professional way that the Gibraltar Port Authority personnel and
other private sector operators are responding to this incident. The
Chief Minister who is currently away from Gibraltar on vacation, is
being kept fully informed.’’
The NEW FLAME is owned and operated by Transmar SA
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