Environmental accident waiting to happen

canadian bob · #1 01-23-2006, 07:09 PM

Last night, strong winds and violent seas sent the cargo vessel "Marielle Bolten" (out of New Zealand) into rocks just off the coast at Costambar (which is just west of Puerto Plata). I watched the Marina de Guerra approach the ship, then return to Puerto Plata. The ship appears to be solidly grounded at this time (7pm, Monday evening). Let us all hope that salvage is possible without a very nasty spill of diesel fuel which might be disasterous. I will try to learn more tomorrow. Canadian Bob

Keith R · #2 01-23-2006, 07:16 PM

Bob, any chance of digital pics of the stranded ship for the Green Team blog?

Is the entry to the port of Puerto Plata really so tight and perilous to apprach and enter? Or were they approaching when prudence suggested they shouldn't?

Rocky · #3 01-23-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith R

Is the entry to the port of Puerto Plata really so tight and perilous to apprach and enter? Or were they approaching when prudence suggested they shouldn't?

Not that I can fully answer your question, Keith, but that area is known to be very perilous.
Many a boat or ship has gone down around there, including several of my friends' boats.
If waters are rough, wind is high, visibility a bit poor, you're in big trouble out around there.

canadian bob · #4 01-23-2006, 07:32 PM

Yes, I will take digital photos at dawn tomorrow. The ship is still there (7.30pm Mon.) with all lights on. Earlier I saw (binocs) about 4 men in orange suits near the davits of a lifeboat on the ship (which may be 27,000 tonnes.)
The reason for the grounding appears to have been the storm. The ship appears to have come from the west. Puerto Plata harbour entrance is narrow and there are strong currents which have caused wrecks in that vicinity in the past. I will endeavor to obtain more useful info. for you. Canadian Bob

Keith R · #5 01-23-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

Not that I can fully answer your question, Keith, but that area is known to be very perilous.
Many a boat or ship has gone down around there, including several of my friends' boats.
If waters are rough, wind is high, visibility a bit poor, you're in big trouble out around there.

Thanks, Marco. Would seem, then, that when you're carrying a cargo like diesel, you need to be all the more careful about port approach. Or is that practical? Wish I had a layout of the port and its approaches, so I could visualize all this...

Keith R · #6 01-23-2006, 07:37 PM

Many thanks, Bob!

canadian bob · #7 01-23-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith R

Thanks, Marco. Would seem, then, that when you're carrying a cargo like diesel, you need to be all the more careful about port approach. Or is that practical? Wish I had a layout of the port and its approaches, so I could visualize all this...

NB!! I never said the cargo was diesel!!! I don't know what the cargo is...
Ships of this size use diesel fuel for propulsion. Even that could be appreciable, but lets wait for some solid information... Canadian Bob

Mirador · #8 01-23-2006, 08:01 PM

http://members.lycos.nl/bruinisse/gen/mariell1.leon

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...tml?call=ELZH9

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Keith R · #9 01-23-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian bob

NB!! I never said the cargo was diesel!!! I don't know what the cargo is...
Ships of this size use diesel fuel for propulsion. Even that could be appreciable, but lets wait for some solid information... Canadian Bob

Oops! Sorry, I mis-read your OP. "My bad," as my son would say.

Mirador · #10 01-23-2006, 08:11 PM

The ship is quite new to be scuttled for insurance. Most probably the captain was drunk at the helm ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirador

http://members.lycos.nl/bruinisse/gen/mariell1.leon

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...tml?call=ELZH9

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