Zea Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On April 13, U.S. marshals apprehended the Greek bulk carrier Privocean, owned by the Bariba Group, after it broke loose from its moorings in the Mississippi River, resulting in significant chaos in Louisiana. The accident, which occurred on April 6, saw the 81,434 dwt vessel collide with a tanker, several towing vessels, and an oil dock, prompting officials to seek nearly USD 40 million in damages. The Geden Lines-operated tanker Bravo, weighing 116,014 dwt, bore the brunt of the impact, with an estimated USD 10 million required for repairs. During the tumult, the tugboat Texas, owned by Crescent Towing & Salvage, was caught between the colliding ships and sustained substantial damage as well. In a bid to recover costs, Crescent Towing has intervened in the arrest proceedings, pursuing a lien on the Privocean due to the damages incurred. Furthermore, Crescent Towing reported damages to three of its tugs involved in the incident. The ramifications extended to Ergon, an oil refiner, whose dock was devastated as the tanker was engaged in offloading crude oil at the time of the crash. Fortunately, reports indicate that fewer than 10 barrels of oil were spilled into the river during the incident. This alarming accident has reignited discussions on marine safety and the importance of securing vessels in busy waterways.

San Francisco: Following an alarming incident on the Mississippi River, the owners of the tanker Bravo have launched a legal battle after their vessel was reportedly struck by the unmoored bulk carrier M/V Privocean. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court in New Orleans on Friday, just days after the collision occurred on Monday. Bravo Shipping, the owner of the oil tanker Bravo (IMO number: 1234567, 61,336 dwt, built in 2011), is seeking damages for the impact it sustained while docked at the Ergon-St. James oil storage facility located near Convent, Louisiana. The bulk carrier M/V Privocean (IMO number: 2345678, 81,434 dwt, built in 2013) was reportedly adrift when it collided with Bravo. As a result of the suit, a District Court judge has ordered the arrest of Privocean, which is currently moored at Grammercy. The claims against the Greek owners of Privocean include allegations of operating the vessel in a negligent and unseaworthy manner. Additional lawsuits have also been filed by dock operator Ergon-St James and Crescent Towing and Salvage, the owner of the tugboat Texas, which was affixed to the Privocean and was dragged during the incident, causing further damages.

The tanker Privocean, which incurred minor damage during a recent triple allision, has been declared seaworthy and departed from its temporary anchorage close to milepost 162 on the evening of April 8. On April 9, the vessel was successfully re-moored at Grandview anchorage, approximately 12 to 14 miles downstream from the incident site near Gramercy. Following this relocation, the U.S. Coast Guard has lifted the shipping restrictions that were previously enforced along a 3-mile stretch of the Mississippi River in St. James Parish. As a result, two-way navigation has been restored between mileposts 160 and 163 in the Convent area as of April 9. Restrictions on river traffic were initially eased the evening prior once the Privocean was secured at its new anchorage, safely away from the crash vicinity. However, intermittent traffic limitations were imposed on April 9 as part of the safety protocol for salvage operations on the vessel Bravo. The Bravo is currently being towed from the Ergon terminal in St. James, and it has been anchored approximately 5 to 7 miles upriver from the crash site, positioned at Burnside anchorage, south of the Sunshine Bridge. Underwater divers have successfully removed a mooring line entangled around the Bravo’s propeller and rudder. While the damage to the ballast tanks has been assessed as not compromising the ship’s stability, necessary repairs remain urgent. The crew has also taken action by pumping out ballast water from the tanker. The full extent of damage requiring repair will be evaluated once the ship undergoes a thorough survey. Meanwhile, the Texas, which was deliberately run aground near milepost 162 following the crash, is currently being towed to a dry-dock for inspection. Fortunately, the watertight integrity of the Texas's hull remains intact both during the incident and the subsequent grounding, and all water intake has been successfully removed. The vessel's owner, Crescent Towing based in New Orleans, is now contemplating the timeline and location for the repairs. In positive news, recent assessments on April 7 revealed that no recoverable oil was present in the river, eliminating the need for further cleanup efforts of the oil spill. For more details and photos, visit the full report at: http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/news/12064875-123/mississippi-river-traffic-restrictions-near