Ap-Revelin Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On the night of September 6, 2024, the bulk carrier 'AP Revelin' ran aground on the Paraná River, effectively obstructing the main navigation channel at river kilometer 341.8. At the time of the incident, the vessel was navigating with a significant draft of 9.54 meters and was loaded with 32,074 metric tons of soybean meal destined for Turkey, following its departure from San Lorenzo port. This grounding triggered an immediate halt to all operations along the busy waterway, impacting both cargo ships and additional vessels reliant on this crucial transit route. The captain promptly sought urgent help, prompting the dispatch of the tug 'RE Candela S'. This tug arrived at the grounding site on September 7 at approximately 1:20 p.m., initiating efforts to refloat the stranded ship and resume normal navigation. Investigators are looking into the circumstances that led to this maritime incident. After being stuck for around 12 hours, the 'AP Revelin' was successfully refloated at 1:15 p.m. on September 7 and was subsequently escorted to San Pedro for inspections and surveys.

A recent report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that a false alarm on the 'Damgracht' led to its main engine shutting down, which contributed to the collision with the 'AP Revelin' on August 21, 2022. This incident occurred in Sabine Pass, Texas, resulting in damages estimated at $3.4 million to both vessels. The analysis suggests that not only was the false alarm a contributing factor, but also that the highly humid weather conditions may have played a role. The 'Damgracht', which was en route to Beaumont, encountered an unexpected engine alarm that triggered an automatic shutdown, resulting in a loss of propulsion while traveling at 15 knots. At the time, a pilot was on board. While the chief engineer was assessing the oil mist detector to pinpoint the problem, the vessel emitted emergency signals. After losing power, the 'Damgracht' slowed to about 7.4 knots and veered towards the port, prompting the pilot to order a hard right turn. Despite these efforts, control was not regained, leading to a collision with the outbound 'AP Revelin'. The force of the crash severely damaged the 'AP Revelin', peeling back nearly 40 feet of hull plating near the stern and exposing internal compartments to the sea. At the moment of impact, the 'AP Revelin' was approximately half a mile away and traveling at 9.3 knots. The pilot attempted to accelerate the engines to avoid the accident, but the 'Damgracht’s' abrupt course change made it impossible to prevent the collision. Damage assessments indicated that while the 'AP Revelin' sustained significant structural damage, the 'Damgracht' had only minimal dents on its bow. Post-collision inspections determined that the repair costs would accumulate to $3.4 million, with the 'AP Revelin' forced out of service for 35 days for repairs. The investigation revealed that the 'Damgracht' had faced engine issues the previous day, prompting the crew to conduct maintenance, including the installation of a head gasket and cylinder head on its main engine. After completing repairs, the crew found the vessel to be in normal working order when the pilot boarded the following morning. The NTSB report highlighted troubling observations regarding the circumstances surrounding the engine alarm. Despite the crew checking the main engine's temperature and crankcase pressure post-failure and confirming normal readings, the alarm had been triggered by the oil mist detector, which sensed 'high oil mist density'. Although the engineer was able to clear and reset the detector after the incident, these actions were only undertaken after the collision had occurred. The investigation noted that previous repairs may have inadvertently introduced cooling water into the engine's lubrication system. Furthermore, the report stressed the combination of extreme humidity and cold temperatures can elevate the water content within engine lube oil sumps. As a precautionary measure, the NTSB advised engine crews to conduct thorough inspections and tests of the lubricating oil system for any signs of water intrusion during maintenance and to ensure that lube oil purifying systems are functioning optimally to eliminate any potential contamination.

In a night incident on January 5, 2017, the Coast Guard began an investigation into the allision involving the cargo ship "AP Revelin" at the dock of the U.T. Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. As the vessel was departing into the Gulf, it experienced a propulsion failure. In an effort to regain control, the crew deployed the anchor; however, despite their attempts, the ship collided with the dock. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the "AP Revelin" sustained no damage. Approximately two hours later, tugboats successfully assisted the ship back into the Gulf. Initial observations indicated that the pier remained intact, although a thorough inspection was scheduled to ensure its structural integrity. For further details and accompanying images, visit: http://www.kristv.com/story/34201127/tanker-ship-hits-dock-in-port-aransas.