Prince William Sound, AK (Mar. 24)-- The Exxon Valdez aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. She spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil, which resulted in the largest oil spill in U.S. history. USCG PHOTO Op-Ed (gCaptain) This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90) -- one of the most successful disaster response and … [Read more...]
What Went Wrong? Back-to-Back Casualties Kick Off 2019
It’s been an active beginning to 2019 in terms of maritime casualties. The phone at the Panama Marine Accident Investigation Department was likely ringing off the hook with three major incidents on Panama-flagged vessels in the first two days. The first three weeks of the year have produced a wide range of serious casualties...and they are likely just the tip of the … [Read more...]
Bulk Carrier Goes Aground During Deadly Storm in Germany
BERLIN, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Shallow waters off a North Sea island complicated efforts on Monday to dislodge a large freighter that ran aground as Germany began cleaning up after a storm that killed at least six people there and in Poland and Czech Republic. Railway operator Deutsche Bahn continued to deal with "significant damage" from downed trees on some rail routes. … [Read more...]
55 Rescued From Grounded Nantucket Ferry
The Coast Guard teamed-up with local responders late Friday and early Saturday to rescue 55 people stranded aboard a high-speed ferry that hit a jetty while entering Hyannis Harbor. The local fire department notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at about 9:30 p.m. Friday and reported that the Massachusetts Steamship Authority Ferry Iyanough, … [Read more...]
Noble Caledonia Cruise Ship Rams Pristine Coral Reef
(TheGuardian) One of the main coral reefs at Raja Ampat, an Indonesian island chain home to perhaps the world’s richest marine biodiversity, was severely damaged this month when a Bahamian-flagged cruise ship smashed into it at low tide, according to an official report. The 90-meter Caledonian Sky, owned by tour operator Noble Caledonia, ran aground in an uncharted shoal in … [Read more...]