11 Jul 13 - 13:19
Tanker Otilia caught fire, abandonned in Panama
Tanker Otilia in flames off Colon
The oil product tanker Otilia caught fire in Atlantic Ocean on on approaches to Colon, Panama Canal. Fire erupted in engine room and spread around. The crew on board tried to extinguish the fire, but failed and abandoned vessel into a life raft.
Crew members were rescued 2 hours later by a patrol boat and a harbor tug towed the oil products tanker Otilia out of approaches to Colon.
Image credit: Shipspotting
Eye witness reported no fire fighting attempts in sight and the tug near the vesse is just monitoring the situation. It is unknown whether the tanker was carrying cargo or not. Otilia tanker (IMO: 8813697) is used for bunkering operations in Colon, Panama.
11 Jul 13 - 11:14
MOL Comfort burned fore part sunk
Burned-out wreck sunk in the high seas according to MOL
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) updated the status of the containership MOL Comfort. MOL reports at 19:00 UTC on July 10 (04:00 on July 11 JST) the fore part sank in the high seas of the Indian Ocean.
The fore part of MOL Comfort which broke in 2 parts on the Indian Ocean on June 17, was being towed by a tug boat of the salvage company and a fire had started for unknown reasons on 6 July while towing operations were carried out.
Image Credit: IndiaTVNews
According to MOL update of the incident on July 10, additionally to one tugboat and two rescue boats which were assisting in the fire fighting operation, the salvage company had asked for the support of the Indian Coast Guard in battling the fire.
The burned out fore part vanished in water depth of approximately 3,000 m. As per MOL statements, this has been reported to to the flag state of Bahamas, Indian authorities and parties concerned. The salvage team will remain at the scene to moninor any oil lekages and floating containers.
