No injuries as Malta-flagged vessels run aground

No one was injured in two separate incidents when two Maltese-registered ships - the bulk carrier Tzini and the general cargo vessel Flora - ran aground off Taiwan and Turkey respectively, the Malta Maritime Authority said yesterday.

The Tzini ran aground late in the evening, local time, on December 23, off the coasts of eastern Taiwan during anchoring operations.

Shore assistance was given to the 23 Filipino and one Russian crew. The vessel sustained structural damages to her hull as a result of the grounding. About 100 tonnes of fuel oil escaped from the vessel and the Taiwanese authorities are taking the necessary measures to mitigate and contain the oil spill. The vessel was in ballast condition.

Salvors contracted by the vessel managers are in direct liaison with the Taiwanese authorities in order to refloat the vessel. The Flora incident occurred in adverse weather conditions on the Black Sea coast of Turkey on Christmas Day at 11.45 p.m. local time.

The latest reports indicate that the 1,772 gross tonne vessel, which was in ballast at the time, ran aground due to poor weather conditions off the Turkish port of Amasra. Gale force NNE winds and high seas were prevailing at the time.

Persisting weather conditions are preventing preliminary inspections of the vessel. However, the 11-strong crew of Russian and Ukrainian nationality were safely evacuated ashore.

The MMA's Merchant Shipping Directorate is investigating both accidents in line with the provisions of IMO Assembly Resolution 849(20), the shipping watchdog said.