Working Conditions Aboard the G-Silver

On June 29, the U.S. Coast Guard began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident involving the tanker 'Chem Venus.' The vessel struck the bottom of the Piscataqua River, specifically near Goat Island Ledge, and subsequently collided with three moored sailboats while being towed out of port. Salvage divers commenced their inspection on June 30 and uncovered a significant hull breach: a 3-foot by 10-foot tear located on the starboard bow. A marine classification society was present to evaluate the vessel's condition and determine necessary repairs to ensure its seaworthiness. The owner of 'Chem Venus' is expected to formulate a repair plan, which will require Coast Guard approval. Following standard procedure, the pilot, tug operators, and ships' officers underwent drug and alcohol testing shortly after the incident; however, results from these tests have yet to be released. Initially, the Coast Guard misidentified the tow-rope size, believing it to be a 7-inch diameter rope, 120 feet long, which could pose a serious navigational hazard. It was later clarified that the tow-rope was actually 2 1/4 inches in diameter and 150 feet in length, significantly reducing the risk of navigation issues. In response to this incident, a team from the Army Corps of Engineers has been dispatched to conduct a thorough survey of the navigational channel in the area where the events transpired. Additionally, port officials and workers are collaborating with the Coast Guard to review the mooring locations and identify the impacted vessels. For more details, including photos and videos, visit http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20160630/coast-guard-continues-investigation-of-ship-accident and http://wgme.com/news/local/tanker-slams-into-sailboats-moored-off-nh-coast.

On the afternoon of June 29, 2016, maritime operations near the Piscataqua River took a troubling turn when the tanker 'Chem Venus' collided with three sailboats. The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m., was reported to the Coast Guard, prompting immediate action. Initial investigations suggested that the tanker lost steering control after running aground on a ledge near Goat Island, Portsmouth Harbor, as it navigated the sharp bend between Goat Island and Henderson Point, assisted by two tugboats. The three sailboats, all unoccupied at the time, sustained damage – one mast was notably broken – yet they remained afloat after the accident. The vessels were anchored at the Kittery Point Yacht Club located in New Castle, New Hampshire. The Coast Guard quickly deployed two 47-foot Motor Lifeboats from Station Portsmouth Harbor, alongside an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod, to conduct an aerial pollution assessment of the scene. Responding crews also boarded the 'Chem Venus' to evaluate damage. It was discovered that the tanker did sustain bow damage that had caused it to take on water. Fortunately, the situation was stabilized and closely monitored by both the Coast Guard and the 'Chem Venus' crew. Importantly, no pollution incidents were reported as the tanker, which was carrying a cargo of used vegetable oil and various industrial chemicals, remained safely anchored outside the river. The Coast Guard's Salvage Engineering Response Team was engaged to perform a vessel stability assessment, and divers were called early on June 30 to survey the damage. For more details, you can view reports with photos and videos here: http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/29/tanker-hits-3-moored-sailboats-in-piscataqua-river/ and http://www.wmtw.com/news/oil-tanker-collides-with-sailboats-near-mouth-of-piscataqua-river/40284958.