The Orange-Sun: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The Brazilian Navy announced the release of the juice tanker 'Orange Sun' late in the evening on July 20. Following a significant incident, pilots from São Paulo indicated that the vessel was deemed unfit for sailing, though it remained unclear whether this assessment stemmed from mechanical issues or adverse weather conditions. As a precaution, the Navy directed the 'Orange Sun' to anchor in the bar channel of Santos port for thorough inspections and evaluations of any potential faults. On July 20, the tanker underwent a series of three meticulous inspections conducted by experts: representatives from the classification society, a team performing underwater checks, and officials from the Port authorities. Each of these entities submitted formal reports confirming that the vessel presented no structural concerns or navigational deficiencies. By approximately 5 p.m., the Navy officially cleared the 'Orange Sun' for departure, allowing it to head towards New Jersey. In parallel, the Port authorities have instigated an investigative inquiry to ascertain any liabilities related to the incident. Several crew members have come forward to provide testimonies to facilitate this ongoing investigation.

On July 19, 2018, the juice tanker 'Orange Sun', carrying a substantial load of 30,000 tons of juice, experienced a critical near miss while navigating the waters of Santos. The vessel, which had just departed from Citrosuco at Margem Esquerda at 5:04 PM, encountered dense fog as it left the port bound for Big Bend. During its maneuvering, the tanker veered sharply to starboard, prompting the crew to drop anchor to prevent a potential allision with the Praticagem pier and nearby small boats scattered in the vicinity. Thankfully, tugboats were deployed to assist in repositioning the vessel to safety. Following the incident, the 'Orange Sun' was detained for inspections to assess any possible damages. As of July 20, the tanker remained anchored safely at Santos outer Anchorage, located at coordinates 24° 8.86' S 046° 17.72' W. For visual coverage and further details, Spanish reports are available with accompanying photos.