Reviews & Ratings for the Lemon

The Captain of the Port for Oregon and southern Washington has lifted the earlier restrictions on the bulk carrier 'Sparna', granting it permission to depart from its berth in Kalama, Washington. This decision, made on May 23, 2016, follows the ship's grounding incident near Cathlamet on the Columbia River on March 21, which necessitated immediate temporary repairs. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Portland conducted a thorough inspection of the 'Sparna', confirming that the temporary repairs have restored the vessel's seaworthiness. Over the last two months, the inspection team monitored the planning and execution of the repair process. The original Captain of the Port order was issued immediately after the grounding, mandating emergency hull repairs before the 'Sparna' could head to a foreign shipyard for permanent fixes. The repairs were completed to the satisfaction of both the Coast Guard and the vessel's flag state, Panama. Notably, a boulder that had become lodged within the hull has been encased in steel and concrete and remains aboard the vessel. The 'Sparna' set sail on the same day, with its destination set for Otaru.

The grounding of the freighter 'Sparna' near the Columbia River's shipping lanes is set to be thoroughly investigated, a process that could take several weeks or even months to complete. The incident occurred as the vessel was maneuvering to exit the river, colliding with a boulder while navigating a narrow channel alongside an inbound ship. With the channel measuring just 600 feet in width and 43 feet in depth, it poses significant challenges for large vessels, particularly those carrying full loads. At the time of the incident, all ten individuals aboard the 'Sparna', including the onboard Columbia River pilot, underwent standard blood-alcohol testing to ensure safety protocols were followed. The U.S. Coast Guard is actively conducting interviews with crew members from both the 'Sparna' and the passing vessel, while reconstructing the incident using advanced satellite and ground-based tracking technology. The 'Sparna' has sustained considerable damage, featuring a significant 25-foot-long gash in its hull that is five feet wide, with debris lodged inside. Fortunately, the damage is confined to a void space that typically remains empty, and crucially, no fuel was discharged from the ship. Currently, the 'Sparna' is receiving repairs at a facility in Kalama, Washington, with restoration efforts expected to last several weeks. For more details and updates, you can refer to the full report with accompanying visuals at http://tdn.com/news/freighter-was-outside-columbia-ship-lanes-when-it-went-aground/article_bb12f979-814d-5628-846a-90c75d460cc1.html.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard managed the successful relocation of the grounded bulk carrier Sparna from its anchorage site on the Columbia River to a designated pier in Kalama, Washington. The operation involved two tugboats and assistance from Columbia River Pilots, taking approximately six hours to complete. Fortunately, the vessel's fuel tanks remained intact during the grounding, with no pollution incidents reported. However, a response vessel equipped for spill control was on standby throughout the transit. The Sparna is currently loaded with 200,000 gallons of high sulfur fuel and an additional 40,000 gallons of marine diesel. In a precautionary measure, a 300-foot safety zone was established around the vessel during its movement, but the river has since been reopened for all maritime traffic.