Grounded Amakusa Island Bound for Repair

Amakusa Island
Amakusa Island

The bulk carrier Amakusa Island, which has been at anchor since it was re-floated following a grounding on Monday, July 14th in Prince Rupert’s outer harbour, headed yesterday to Prince Rupert’s inner harbour for repairs, Prince Rupert Port Authority,  said.

 
The 228-metre vessel berthed at Northland Cruise Terminal at approximately midday.

The vessel has remained afloat of its own accord since the incident. Dive teams will use metal plates to seal a tear in the outer hull, which allowed seawater to enter three of the double-bottomed ship’s ballast compartments after the grounding. Repairs are anticipated to take approximately two weeks.

During its inbound transit, two tractor tugs from SMIT Marine Canada provided escort to the Amakusa Island. In keeping with standard procedure, a BC Coast Pilot was on board to advise the vessel’s master and bridge crew.

There were no interruption to scheduled harbour operations. During the one-day visit by the Oceania Regatta cruise ship on July 29th, the Amakusa Island will be temporarily shifted to an nearby anchorage.

There were no injuries during the original incident. Inspections subsequent to the grounding confirmed that no environmental contamination occurred.

The Amakusa Island is laden with 80,000 metric tonnes of coal.

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Press Release, July 24, 2014; Image: World Ship Society