LNG Tanker Smash Sinks Cargo Ship
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The 2002-built, 8,850-dwt freighter Flinterstar is owned by Dutch shipping firm Flinter has sank after colliding nearly head on with the Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al-Oraiq in the North Sea off Belgium on Tuesday morning.
The both vessel were in opposite directions, as the gas carrier was approaching the port fully loaded with LNG and saw the freighter from the starboard.
Unfortunately Al Oraiq did not maneuvered accordingly and collided with general cargo ship, which got large breach under the waterline and sank near the scene of the accident.
All 12 crew members from the freighter jumped into the water, but were rescued from the nearby vessels and patrol boats.
The seamen were in good condition, but one was injured and transported to the local hospital.
Dutch ship owner Flinter has confirmed that the ship sank, the crew is safe and the vessel is ‘stable’. A small oil sheen has been reported. An AIS replay of the collision (video below) shows the ships collided nearly head on.
"This morning near the Belgian coast MV Flinterstar sunk. The crew is safe and doing well. The Flinterstar is stable, there is no emergency. At this time, we are talking to salvage companies together with insurance to decide how the vessel will be salvaged,"Flinter said in a statement.