Updated: March 22, 2011.
Once again we have a Greek owned vessel getting itself into trouble and this one is pretty remarkable even with their history. This Greek owned vessel was the bulk carrier MS Oliva which ran aground on Nightingale Island part of the Tristan da Cunha (T. da C.) group. These are a self-administered group of British Islands and in the entire South Atlantic are the only group of islands between South America and South Africa. NAUTICAL LOG has been close to them several times on voyages from South Africa to Argentina so is reasonably familiar with navigating across that ocean by traditional methods. Not so for some seafarers it appears in spite of all the wonderful electronic aids navigators have today - perhaps that is the problem.
While on passage from Santos, Brazil to Singapore with a cargo of Soya beans the 75,000 tonne MS Oliva managed to run aground on Spinners Point on the northern coast of Nightingale Island, T. da C. The 22 crewmembers, 1 Greek and 21 Filipinos, were removed by the T. da C. fishing vessel MV Edinburgh and were brought to Tristan da Cunha Island. The bulk carrier has now broken-up and spilled both her cargo and her heavy fuel oil so there is an environmental disaster. In addition Nightingale Island is one of the few alien mammal free islands in the South Atlantic. The arrival and establishment of rats would place its seabirds and land birds at grave risk. The ships Master has stated that the vessel was free of rats - that will be a first in a grain ship - however considering the masterly skill in navigation there may be reasonable doubt with that statement. The Island also supports Atlantic yellow Albatross, Sooty Albatross, Northern Rockhopper Penguins, and Great Shearwaters (known as Petrels to the Islanders) which total about 4 million living in burrows on Nightingale Island. Already oil covered birds are being found, of particular concern are the Rockhoppers and their treatment is being attempted.
Finally there are photographs and reports on the Tristan da Cunha website. Since T. da C. is extremely sensitive with regard to its status and the Island Government has strict controls on visitors and information NAUTICAL LOG has not published anything from their website. One can visit at www.tristandc.com/ and see under Latest News/News MS Oliva (20th. March 2011) for excellent photos, full reports and Island Group information. The photographs were taken from the SilverSea cruise ship MS Prince Albert 2 which was visiting the Tristan da Cunha Island Group at the time of the MS Oliva grounding.
While on passage from Santos, Brazil to Singapore with a cargo of Soya beans the 75,000 tonne MS Oliva managed to run aground on Spinners Point on the northern coast of Nightingale Island, T. da C. The 22 crewmembers, 1 Greek and 21 Filipinos, were removed by the T. da C. fishing vessel MV Edinburgh and were brought to Tristan da Cunha Island. The bulk carrier has now broken-up and spilled both her cargo and her heavy fuel oil so there is an environmental disaster. In addition Nightingale Island is one of the few alien mammal free islands in the South Atlantic. The arrival and establishment of rats would place its seabirds and land birds at grave risk. The ships Master has stated that the vessel was free of rats - that will be a first in a grain ship - however considering the masterly skill in navigation there may be reasonable doubt with that statement. The Island also supports Atlantic yellow Albatross, Sooty Albatross, Northern Rockhopper Penguins, and Great Shearwaters (known as Petrels to the Islanders) which total about 4 million living in burrows on Nightingale Island. Already oil covered birds are being found, of particular concern are the Rockhoppers and their treatment is being attempted.
Finally there are photographs and reports on the Tristan da Cunha website. Since T. da C. is extremely sensitive with regard to its status and the Island Government has strict controls on visitors and information NAUTICAL LOG has not published anything from their website. One can visit at www.tristandc.com/ and see under Latest News/News MS Oliva (20th. March 2011) for excellent photos, full reports and Island Group information. The photographs were taken from the SilverSea cruise ship MS Prince Albert 2 which was visiting the Tristan da Cunha Island Group at the time of the MS Oliva grounding.
There are updated reports and photos as the tug and personnel have arrived at the Tristan Island Group from South Africa; vist the website at link above.
Good Watch.
Good Watch.
4 comments:
Maybe the electronic chart computer crashed and they were too busy trying to restart the pc to use a radar to plot position on a PAPER chart. Whats that you say? its a paper reproduction of those fancy display screens on your electronic chart system.
Amazing isn't it. I had a friend who went on a greek cargo ship for a few trips and found that the captain kept insisting on shutting off the electronics. No you don't need radar or depth sounders, you are in the middle of the ocean. Not to worry.
Hmm, a Greek vessel, Maltese flag, Greek Captain and Filipino crew.
But ... only two years old, so hopefully a kosher vessel.
Brad's point is well made, when the Ecdis crashes it's very easy to get too focussed on the re-booting. But surely somebody looks out of the window once in a while, even these days.
The official investigation will no doubt cast some light on the watchkeeper's ability.
Meanwhile, it's a shame about the Rockhoppers and other seabirds.
This is the only blog that's even asking why the vessel ran aground. Saving the rockhoppers and environment should be the top priority, but it feels like the crew is getting a free pass on this avoidable disaster.
ANONYMOUS: In view of this serious question we published your anonymous comment for this one time only. We would draw your attention to the Blog header.
Two points;
1. There is an Insurers Investigation by CAPT. Nick Sloane who is presently on Tristan da Cunha. He is working with the Administrator Sean Burns, the British appointed diplomat to the Islands. Once this Investigation is completed there will be an Initial Report.
2. The crew, including the vessel Master and the Bridge Watch Team who put the ship around, are living amongst and being taken care of by the Islanders. Consider THAT stress level!
Once the crew is removed from the Island, hopefully this coming week, there may well be some comment as clearly this whole incident was totally unavoidable. The vessel on its passage from Santos, Brazil around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa towards Singapore should have been 15 miles to the north of the Island chain on a safe navigation route.
Good Watch.
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