Monday, August 24, 2015
Speeding 19-year-old's car goes airborne, hitting several trees, and coming to rest in a ditch, catching fire and killing the teen
Northeast Iowa Teen Killed in Fiery Crash
Posted 5:17 am, August 24, 2015, by Kelly Maricle
WHO-HD
CHICKASAW COUNTY, Iowa —
A Lawler teen is dead after a crash in Chickasaw County over the weekend.
It happened at the intersection of 150th Street and Quinlan Avenue around 5:00 Saturday morning.
The Iowa State Patrol says 19-year-old Jesse Johnson was speeding in the area when his car went airborne, hitting several trees, and coming to rest in the ditch.
The vehicle then caught fire. Officials say it was completely burned by the time they arrived.
Johnson died from injuries received in the accident.
DEATH WISH: Speeding unlicensed teenager killed, two others were seriously hurt when their car crashed into a utility pole in Garland, Texas
One teen killed, two hurt in Garland crash
Police say none of the three teens in the vehicle had licenses. Carla Wade has more. Carla Wade, WFAA 5:44 p.m. CDT August 23, 2015
(Photo: Bryan Titsworth / WFAA)
GARLAND, TEXAS
On the day before school starts, one teenager was killed and two others were injured Sunday morning when their white sedan went off the pavement, knocked down a fire hydrant and then slammed into a utility pole on Walnut Street just east of Jupiter Road in Garland.
Two of the victims had to be extricated from the wreckage by rescue crews; one was found outside the car. Police said there were two 14-year-old survivors, one of whom is a student at Jackson Middle School; both were hospitalized with serious injuries. The other boy who survived was not enrolled in the Garland Independent School District, an official said. Their names were not released.
One teenager was killed and two others were seriously hurt when their car crashed into a utility pole in Garland. (Photo: Bryan Titsworth / WFAA)
Angel Blancas, 15, was taken to The Medical Center of Plano, where he later died. Blancas would have started his freshman year at Garland High School on Monday. It's not yet clear who was behind the wheel in the wreck across from the Walnut Plaza shopping center.
Grief counselors were being deployed to the two Garland schools for the first day of classes on Monday.
A bouquet of flowers was placed at the scene of Sunday's fatal crash in Garland. (Photo: Carla Wade / WFAA)
"Those teachers are going to have to draw within themselves and do a blended role of not only welcoming students back and maintaining that level of excitement," he said. "And also making sure they are there to help those who need it."
A girl who identified herself as Blancas' girlfriend said she didn't know where the boys were coming from so early in the morning, but they were likely headed home when the crash happened.
Police said none of the boys possessed a driver's license due to their age. Police also said the car was registered to a family member.
One teenage boy was killed and two others were injured in a crash in Garland on Sunday morning. (Photo: WFAA)
DPS building under construction in north Houston, Texas catches fire
HOUSTON (KTRK) --
Firefighters are battling a fire at a DPS center under construction in north Houston.It's happening near the intersection of Dewalt and Veterans Memorial. According to HFD, crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the building.
"I was walking and I heard a big old boom and I came out here and I saw fire," said witness Al McDonald. "They say they were welding."
Houston fire officials have gone defensive on it, as they're concerned about a possible wall collapse.
We have a crew heading on the scene and will post any new information as we get it.
1 critical, after ferocious collision between dump truck and car on Route 113 in Bucks Co., PA
Updated 41 mins ago
PERKASIE, Pa. (WPVI) --
A dump truck and a car were involved in a crash on Monday afternoon in Perkasie, Bucks County.
The crash was reported around 12:10 p.m. on Route 113 at Callowhill Road.
Video from the Action Cam showed the dump truck flipped over on its side with a load of dirt spilled on the road.
A car was nearby with heavy front end damage, while the dump truck flipped to its side.
Rescuers could be seen taking someone on a stretcher to a medical helicopter.
2 injured after SUV and sedan collide on Black Horse Pike in Gloucester County, NJ
MONROE TWP., N.J. (WPVI) --
A serious crash slowed traffic on the Black Horse Pike in Gloucester County.It happened before 8:30 a.m. Monday where the Old Black Horse Pike merges with the Black Horse Pike in Monroe Township.
Images from Chopper 6 HD showed an SUV and a sedan, both with heavy damage.
Action News is told at least two persons were hurt, but there was no immediate word on the extent of injuries.
The Black Horse Pike remained open.
One lane was blocked as medics treated the injured and crews worked to clear the scene.
Stay with Action News and 6abc.com for more information as it becomes available.
FDNY firefighter rushes into burning Brooklyn home; brings out 2-year old boy in critical condition
MARINE PARK (WABC) --
A toddler is in critical condition after an early morning house fire in Brooklyn.It started at around 1 a.m. on Avenue P in Marine Park, and was placed under control about 45 minutes later.
Jean Pierre lost his home but his family is still intact. The fire destroyed everything inside his home and almost killed his 2-year old son Chase.
"He's doing good, medically induced coma so he can heal," said Pierre.
Jean's wife and two other children were able to make it out, but they lost track of little Chase in the blinding smoke.
Neighbors rushed back in, but the smoke was overwhelming. FDNY Lieutenant Victor Milukas was one of the first on the scene.
"Very chaotic scene, people yelling that the baby was still inside," said Milukas.
He led a team inside the house, looking for Chase. "We made our way to the top of the stairs and we had zero visibility, high heat," said Milukas.
He found the toddler in a middle bedroom, lying lifeless, next to a burning mattress and a pile of clothes.
Milukas yelled on his radio, "I have a baby, I'm coming down."
"Every life is precious but for a child you go above and beyond," he said.
EMTs successfully resuscitated Chase. But it all started with the lieutenant who wouldn't give up until he found Chase.
"I thank God for everyone. You have to count your blessings," said Pierre.
The FDNY is investigating the cause of the fire.
WAKE-UP CALL: The hack of the cheating website Ashley Madison has triggered extortion crimes and led to two unconfirmed reports of suicides
Ashley Madison hack might have led to suicides, police say
TORONTO, CANADA --
The hack of the cheating website Ashley Madison has triggered
extortion crimes and led to two unconfirmed reports of suicides,
Canadian police said Monday.The company behind Ashley Madison is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of members of a group that hacked the site.
Hackers last week released detailed records on millions of people registered with the website, a month after a break-in at Ashley Madison's parent company, Toronto-based Avid Life Media Inc. The website, whose slogan is, "Life is short. Have an affair," is marketed to facilitate extramarital affairs.
Toronto Police acting staff-Supt. Bryce Evans said the hack is having an "enormous social and economic fallout."
"This hack is one of the largest data breaches in the world," Evans said. "This is affecting all of us. The social impact behind this leak, we're talking about families, we're talking about children, we're talking about wives, their male partners."
The hackers who took responsibility for the break-in had accused the website's owners of deceit and incompetence, and said the company refused to bow to their demands to close the site. The hackers referred to themselves as the Impact Team.
Evans said the hackers released the entire Ashley Madison client list, which claims to have more than 30 million users worldwide. He said the hackers also sent a taunting message to the company CEO and released his emails.
Evans said there are confirmed cases of criminals attempting to extort Ashley Madison clients by threatening to expose them unless payment is received.
The police official did not offer further details of the unconfirmed suicides. He also said hate crimes may be connected to the hack but did not provide details.
Evans addressed the hackers directly, saying their actions are "illegal and will not be tolerated."
"This is your wake-up call," he said. A representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attended the news conference.
The massive 400 square miles fire burning in north-central Washington is now the largest in state history
AUGUST 24, 2015
Fires are now largest in state history
Associated Press
The massive fire burning in north-central Washington is now the largest in state history.
The Okanogan Complex of wildfires has surpassed last year’s Carlton Complex blazes.
Fire spokesman Rick Isaacson said Monday the Okanogan Complex was measured overnight at just over 400 square miles, slightly more than the Carlton fires, which also burned in Okanogan County.
The latest group of fires grew by more than 26 square miles Sunday and is expected to spread even more in coming days.
Isaacson called the record unfortunate and notes it’s only Aug. 24, meaning the fire could burn for several more months. Officials are still trying to determine how many homes and other structures have been burned.
About 1,250 people are battling the fires. Last week, three firefighters were killed and four injured near Twisp, Washington.
Fires are now largest in state history
Associated Press
The massive fire burning in north-central Washington is now the largest in state history.
The Okanogan Complex of wildfires has surpassed last year’s Carlton Complex blazes.
Fire spokesman Rick Isaacson said Monday the Okanogan Complex was measured overnight at just over 400 square miles, slightly more than the Carlton fires, which also burned in Okanogan County.
The latest group of fires grew by more than 26 square miles Sunday and is expected to spread even more in coming days.
Isaacson called the record unfortunate and notes it’s only Aug. 24, meaning the fire could burn for several more months. Officials are still trying to determine how many homes and other structures have been burned.
About 1,250 people are battling the fires. Last week, three firefighters were killed and four injured near Twisp, Washington.
A 9-year-old boy killed, 2 injured in an ATV crash in Lyon County, Kansas
AUGUST 23, 2015
MILLER, KANSAS
A 9-year-old Kansas boy has died in an all-terrain vehicle crash in Lyon County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as Ryan Lane, of Reading.
He was riding on the ATV on Saturday night when the 11-year-old driver lost control.
The patrol says the vehicle toppled onto its side about three miles north of Miller.
Lane was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The patrol says the driver and another 9-year-old passenger also were injured.
MILLER, KANSAS
A 9-year-old Kansas boy has died in an all-terrain vehicle crash in Lyon County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as Ryan Lane, of Reading.
He was riding on the ATV on Saturday night when the 11-year-old driver lost control.
The patrol says the vehicle toppled onto its side about three miles north of Miller.
Lane was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The patrol says the driver and another 9-year-old passenger also were injured.
Teen injured in ATV and car collision in Clinton County, Indiana
WLFI Staff Reports
Published: August 23, 2015
CLINTON CO., Ind. (WLFI) —
A Clinton County teen was sent to the hospital after an ATV crash Sunday evening.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers say it happened on County Road 50 West, near County Road 700 North.
Officials said the 16-year-old male driver did not stop before getting onto the road, and the southbound vehicle hit the ATV.
Officers say the teen was transported to IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette with a broken wrist and broken ankle.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Emergency Management Service, and the Rossville Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Swimmer hit by fishing powerboat on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH
UPDATED August 23, 2015
MOULTON BOROUGH, N.H. —
A swimmer was injured on Sunday morning after he was struck by a powerboat on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Authorities responded to an area between Long Island and Dow Island in Moultonborough at 8:10 a.m.
State police said a swimmer who was accompanies by a kayak was hit by an 18-foot fishing boat. The people in the boat said they saw the kayak, but not the swimmer.
The man was taken onto the boat and brought to shore. He was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.
The accident is under investigation. If you witnessed the incident, you are asked to contact State Police Marine Patrol.
Female driver killed, child injured in head on collision on La. 749 with a box truck
Advocate staff report
August 23, 2015
An Opelousas woman died and her child was injured Wednesday morning after the woman lost control of her car and crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle.
Louisiana 749 & Mahogany Dr, Opelousas, LA 70570
The St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office around 8 a.m. pronounced Jeri Ceasar, 30, dead at the scene on La. 749 near Mahogany Drive, according to State Police.
Neither Ceasar nor her child were wearing seatbelts. The child was hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Ceasar lost control of her 2008 Toyota Camry, crossed the centerline of the highway and crashed head-on into a 2002 Nissan commercial box truck driven by Kim Brown, 63, of Metairie, State Police said. Brown and his passenger were wearing seat belts in the crash and were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
“At the time of the crash it was raining, but there was no standing water on the roadway,” State Police spokesman Brooks David said. “An inspection of Ceasar’s vehicle revealed the rear tires had no tire tread.”
Impairment is not suspected as a factor in the crash, but police took toxicology samples from both drivers. The crash remains under investigation.
Speeding female driver killed, girl injured after crashing into tree in San Jose, California
Photo: Google Maps
By Evan Sernoffsky
Updated 2:22 pm, Sunday, August 23, 2015
A woman was killed and a 9-year-old girl was injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night on Highway 101 in San Jose.
A 34-year-old woman was killed and her 9-year-old passenger was injured after she lost control of her car on Highway 101 in San Jose and hit a tree late Saturday, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The woman, who was not identified, was speeding in her 2000 Honda Civic northbound on the freeway just before midnight when she lost control north of Capitol Expressway, the CHP said.
For an unknown reason, the woman “made an unsafe turning movement,” causing her to careen off the highway and slam into a tree on the right shoulder of the roadway, CHP officials said.
The young girl in the passenger seat, who was not identified, was taken to Valley Medical Center with minor injuries. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Two lanes of the highway were shut down for about 2½ hours while authorities processed the scene.
It was not clear if the woman and the girl were related.
WARNING, MOTORCYCLIST TRAFFIC DEATHS ARE RISING: Motrocyclist killed by drunk driver in Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls man killed in motorcycle crash with drunk driver
Updated: Mon 8:49 AM, Aug 24, 2015
Sioux Falls, SD
A Sioux Falls man was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car on 41st Street in Sioux Falls Sunday evening.
Sioux Falls Police say the crash happened at the intersection of 41st St and Westbrooke Lane just after 4:00pm Sunday.
Police say a 1991 Buick Regal was attempting to enter onto 41st from Westbrooke Lane when it collided with a 2012 Harley Davidson Road Glide Motorcycle that was traveling west bound.
The motorcycle was driven by a 56 year old Sioux Falls Resident and he was pronounced deceased on scene. The identity is being withheld at this time pending notification to family members.
The Buick Regal was driven by Trevor W. Blankartz, 25, of Sioux Falls. Trevor Blankartz was lodged at the Minnehaha County Jail on charges of Vehicular Homicide, DWI, and careless driving. Police say the investigation is ongoing and expect to release more details at a later time.
TO THE FIRING SQUAD: Drunk, speeding man faces vehicular homicide charges after crashing head-on into a bicyclist Friday night on Lookout Mountain Road in Golden, Colorado.
(Photo: KUSA)
An Aurora man faces vehicular homicide charges after crashing head-on into a bicyclist Friday night on Lookout Mountain Road in Golden. 9NEWS at 9 p.m. 08/23/15. KUSA
Victoria Sanchez, KUSA August 23, 2015
KUSA, COLORADO
An Aurora man faces vehicular homicide charges after crashing head-on into a bicyclist Friday night on Lookout Mountain Road in Golden, Colorado.
Zachary Strnad, 20, was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail after he allegedly hit Thomas Flanagan with his car. Colorado State Patrol said speed and alcohol are being considered as factors in the crash.
C-S-P said Strnad and a 21-year-old passenger were headed up Lookout Mountain Road and crossed over the double yellow lines to pass two cars. That's when they hit Flanagan, 38, who was on his way down the road in the opposite lane on his bike.
Flanagan was taken to St. Anthony's Hospital. He died of his injuries about two hours after the crash.
According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation arrest record, Strnad faces felony homicide and reckless driving charges, as well as misdemeanors for driving under the influence and for having an open container in a vehicle.
FEMALE DRIVER HIT, KILLED BY CSX TRAIN AFTER SHE DROVE AROUND THE CROSSING GATES IN EATON TOWNSHIP, OHIO
August 24, 2015
by Evan Goodenow
EATON TWP. , OHIO
A driver was killed when her car was struck by a train at the railroad crossing on Reed Road about a quarter-mile south of state Route 82 about 6 p.m. Sunday.
Police and fire officials wait for the Lorain County Coroner to arrive alongside a car that was hit by a train on Reed Road in Eaton Township on Sunday. BRUCE BISHOP/CHRONICLE
Four witnesses, including the CSX train conductor and engineer, said the railroad gates were down and the lights were flashing at the crossing when the crash occurred, said Sgt. Tim Hoffman, Ohio Highway Patrol Elyria post assistant commander. Witnesses said Linda Radesic, who was southbound in a 1997, two-door Saturn, drove left of center around the gates and into the path of the westbound train. Hoffman said troopers continue to investigate why Radesic drove around the gates.
The train dragged the Saturn along the tracks about 60 yards west of the crossing before stopping. Fire Capt. Jason Monschein said the train hit the driver’s side of the Saturn. The 64-year-old Radesic of North Olmsted was dead inside the crushed car when firefighters arrived.
Firefighters draped the Saturn with blankets to shield the woman’s body as a Lorain County Coroner’s office deputy coroner stood by, and troopers collected evidence at the crash scene about 7:30 p.m. Radesic’s body was taken from the scene by coroner’s office personnel at 8:30 p.m. The crossing remained blocked in one direction at 10 p.m., Monschein said.
The conductor and engineer on the train — which had 42 cars and three locomotives — were unhurt, said Rob Doolittle, a CSX spokesman. The train was carrying mixed freight, which Doolittle said could include construction materials and consumer goods. The train was headed from Worcester, Mass., to Chicago.
Radesic was the second driver killed in a crash with a CSX train in Lorain County in 72 hours. Nicholas Roberts, 18, of Wellington, died Thursday night when police said he drove his car through the gates of a railroad crossing and struck the side of a train on Pitts Road in Wellington.
Decision to run cars in the wrong direction on the Walt Disney World Speedway might have been a factor in a fatal crash on the tracks in April.
AUGUST 21, 2015
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
A Florida Highway Patrol report shows that the decision to run cars in the wrong direction on the Walt Disney World Speedway might have been a factor in a fatal crash on the tracks in April.
Instructor Gary Terry, 36, was killed when a driver lost control of a Lamborghini and crashed into the end of a guardrail.
Investigators said the sports car, which was going about 100 mph, wouldn’t have been exposed to the guardrail’s end if the cars at the Exotic Driving Experience were run counterclockwise.
FHP’s four-page report concluded that a decision to run sport cars on the Walt Disney Speedway in the wrong direction was a factor in Terry’s death.
Terry worked for the Richard Petty driving experience for more than 15 years.
He was riding with Tavon Watson, 24, when the Lamborghini crashed.
FHP’s investigation said Terry’s car wouldn’t have been exposed to the end of the guardrails had the cars been traveling in the direction for which the track was designed, which was counterclockwise.
The driver was going the opposite way, and had just completed four laps at 102 mph before he lost control.
Industry experts said in April that the Lamborghini might have been traveling the opposite way to slow down the car.
The practice allows drivers to make frequent stops.
Investigators found no mechanical problems that would have contributed to the crash and Terry’s death was ruled accidental.The report said the investigation is complete and no charges were filed against the driver because the crash was an accident that occurred on private property
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. has signed an 11-year, $117 million deal with the city of Odessa, Texas that will guarantee it access to millions of gallons of treated municipal wastewater each day, for use in nearby oilfields.
U.S. Frackers use 'Toilet Water' to Cut Cost
Published in Oil Industry New
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Top shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources Co (PXD.N) has found an unusual way to both save water and cut costs for its wells: tapping the treated runoff from toilets, sinks and showers in west Texas.
Pioneer has signed an 11-year, $117 million deal with the city of Odessa, Texas that will guarantee it access to millions of gallons of treated municipal wastewater each day, for use in nearby oilfields. Deliveries of the so-called effluent, are expected to start at the end of the year.
As crude oil has slid to its lowest level in six years - currently about $40 a barrel - oil and gas companies pumping from shale rock have tried to cut every unnecessary penny from their operations. Water acquisition and transportation can be up to 10 percent of the cost of drilling and fracking a well, according to consulting firm IHS.
Producers are also trying to mitigate long-term risks of water scarcity in the arid Permian Basin of West Texas, where the top U.S. oilfield is situated.
Oil and gas companies operating in area, including Pioneer and Apache Corp (APA.N), have long sought cheaper, more environmentally sound sources of water to use for fracking.
For example, both companies have drawn some of the water they use in their operations from the Permian's brackish aquifers, which contain water unfit for drinking. Both companies also have worked to recycle water that is used for frack jobs or found in the ground while drilling.
During hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, million of gallons of water are blasted, along with sand and chemicals, into a well drilled through shale or other rocks. The high-pressure slurry cracks the rock, allowing oil and gas to escape and exit the well.
Pioneer is the first oil and gas company to sign a long-term wastewater supply contract with Odessa, a city of about 110,000 people. The Dallas-based company recently began construction on a pipeline network that will transport the treated water from the city's sewage plant to one of its oilfields about 20 miles away.
"The money has been approved," said Stephen McNair, president of Pioneer's water management group.
Pioneer's goal is to eliminate the use of fresh water in fracking in 5 to 10 years, said McNair.
The municipal reclaimed water the company intends to use comes from sewage plants that treat human waste and water from activities that include bathing and food preparation, according to Texas regulators.
City officials say the deal will provide a steady stream of revenue and reduces truck traffic.
"We didn't think we were making our highest and best use of our effluent water, we were using a lot for irrigation," said Larry Long, the Odessa city attorney who helped to negotiate the deal with Pioneer. "We thought it had more value going to the oil companies," he said, noting that it would allow potable water currently going to the oil fields to be put to other uses.
EOG Resources Inc (EOG.N), which has wells in the Eagle Ford formation in South Texas, is considering using water from wastewater treatment plants, according to its web site. And Anadarko Petroleum Corp (APC.N) uses treated water purchased from the city of Aurora in Colorado, according to a spokesman.
Alpha Reclaim, a private Houston company owned by BNN Energy that supplies reclaimed water to oil companies in Texas, has dealings or contracts with about 30 cities in Texas, including Big Lake in the western part of the state. The firm is looking to grow its water business, including its use of reclaimed wastewater.
"We see a lot of opportunity," said Mark Ritchie, a vice president at Alpha Reclaim.
Source: www.reuters.com
Container ship Maersk Lebu attacked by pirates in Malacca Strait
Sunday, 23 August 2015 15:57
Written by AdminSailor
On August 21, at about 0430 hrs, Maersk Lebu was underway when four perpetrators were again sighted in the engine room. The master raised the alarm and the perpetrators escaped in a waiting small boat. There was no loss of property and the crew was safe.
100-gallon leak of acids from shipping container at Port of Oakland
Sunday, 23 August 2015 15:59
Written by AdminSailor
A shipping container at the Port of Oakland was the scene of a chemical spill.
Fire service personnel from the Oakland Fire Department’s hazardous materials unit attended to the scene and found a 40 foot unit was leaking a mixture of acids.
The leak comprised around 100 gallons of nitric and phosphoric acids combined but was successfully contained by a person on site using absorbent materials.
Eight firefighters with an engine and truck responded to the port’s Pier 57 which is run by SSA Terminals.
Fire department examination determined that no dangerous chemical reaction had occurred and there was no corrosion effect on the ground. No injuries were reported.
An employee on the "West Aquarius" working off the coast of Newfoundland suffered a serious injury after his fingers became trapped in a piece of moving equipment
Monday, 24 August 2015 12:15
Worker injured during maintenance work
Written by AdminSailor
An employee on the "West Aquarius" working off the coast of Newfoundland suffered a serious injury after his fingers became trapped in a piece of moving equipment.
Hibernia Management and Development Company reported to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board that the worker was conducting maintenance on the blowout preventer, which is used seal, control and monitor oil and gas wells, on Aug 15, 2015, when the incident occurred.
The man's fingertips on his left hand were caught between moving equipment, and had to be airlifted to hospital in St. John's for treatment.
Work on the blowout preventer was suspended after the employee was injured, pending an investigation by the operator, a C-NLOPB statement said Thursday.
The Seadrill engineer was off for several days but has since returned to work.
He was cleared to work again starting on Aug 21 udner restrictive duties.
Three injured when the "Moby Baby" allided with the dock of pier 3 in Portoferraio, Italy
Monday, 24 August 2015 12:16
Three injured in quay allision
Written by AdminSailor
Upon arriving at Portoferraio on Aug 17, 2015, around 6 p.m. the "Moby Baby" allided with the dock of pier 3.
The ship bumped into the quay despite the anchor having been dropped before the impact.
The ferry had 77 passengers on board, one woman who fell onto the deck and two children aged eight and four years, were taken to the emergency room for checks.
A few cars and motorcycles that were on the car deck of the ferry suffered damage as well as the asphalt of the dock. The Coastguard was investigating the cause, but suspected a misunderstanding between the bridge and the engine room so that the engine was turned off while the ferry approached the quay.
Repairs of the bow damage were carried out by the staff of the shipping company Moby Lines and completed on Aug 18. Engineers checked the security of the ferry before she returned to service.
Italian reports with photos and video: www.panorama.it/p... www.unionesarda.i...
The cause of the allison of the "Stigfoss" with the dock in Biltrend on August 21 was caused by the engine not stopping in time
Engine failure caused allision
Written by AdminSailor
The cause of the allison of the "Stigfoss" with the dock in Biltrend on Aug 21 was caused by the engine not stopping in time so that the ship slammed into the dock according to the terminal manager at Troms Fryseterminal, Kurt Einar Tårnes.
The ship had suffered a main engine failure. Both quay and ship were damaged in the incident.
Norwegian report with photo and video: www.nordlys.no/tr...
A crack has appeared in the New Panama Canal’s Cocoli Locks. The locks are located on the Pacific side.
GUPC and ACP meet: source Twitter
By MarEx 2015-08-23 16:27:44
A crack has appeared in the New Panama Canal’s Cocoli Locks. The locks are located on the Pacific side.
Filling of the locks commenced on June 22. The filling process, expected to take 90 days, marks the start of compliance and operational testing for the canal expansion.
By MarEx 2015-08-23 16:27:44
A crack has appeared in the New Panama Canal’s Cocoli Locks. The locks are located on the Pacific side.
Filling of the locks commenced on June 22. The filling process, expected to take 90 days, marks the start of compliance and operational testing for the canal expansion.
However, Twitter and maritime media reports indicate that the crack, in one of the sills of the lock, could impact the project’s schedule.
Experts from the construction contractor Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC) and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) met on Saturday to evaluate the problem.
The filling process makes use of powerful electric and diesel pumps designed specifically for the job. The electric pumps provide 30,000 gallons of water per minute each, while an added network of 13 diesel pumps pump 7,000 gallons of water per minute each, filling the lower chamber at a rate of nine inches per hour.
The canal is currently scheduled for completion in April 2016.
Report into a passenger drowning on Sapphire Princes, calls for the cruise company to take action to improve pool safety.
Drowning: Princess Told to Improve Safety
By MarEx 2015-08-23 17:51:45
The U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into a passenger drowning on Sapphire Princes, calling for the cruise company to take action to improve pool safety.
The death of a female passenger occurred in the vessel’s Neptune Pool when it was travelling the East China Sea on August 7, 2014.
In the absence of a dedicated pool attendant, the initial alert was raised by passengers using the swimming pool. Nearby passengers and crew responded, and the onboard emergency services were summoned by telephone.
However, there was a short delay in the emergency team response due to language difficulties between crew members. The working language of the vessel was English. However, the initial emergency call from a Serbian catering assistant working in the deck 14 food area to an Asian assistant in the purser’s office was not understood due to language difficulties. Fortunately another assistant was able to understand the caller, otherwise the medical team’s response might have been further delayed.
Until the emergency team arrived, limited attempts to perform CPR were carried out by passengers. CPR was only briefly carried out and had ceased by the time the medical team arrived at the pool.
MAIB concluded that risks relating to the use of swimming pools by unsupervised passengers had not been formally assessed.
With no dedicated pool attendants it was left to pool users and bystanders to recognize an emergency and raise an alarm. The crew members (catering staff) in the vicinity of Neptune Pool had not received instruction from the company in medical first aid.
There was no documented formal risk assessment available for ship’s staff reference when assessing swimming pool operational safety.
Recommendation
Princess Cruise Lines has been recommended to: complete a formal documented risk assessment on the use of ships’ swimming pools throughout its fleet and ensure its hotel staff (including stewards, shop staff, hairdressers and entertainers) receive sufficient training and information to take immediate action upon encountering an accident or other medical emergency before seeking further medical assistance on board.
The HSE guidance on managing health and safety in swimming pools ashore strongly indicates that constant poolside supervision provides the best assurance of pool users’ safety. However, it also recognizes that a risk assessment may determine circumstances where the balance of cost and risk makes it possible to provide a safe swimming environment without constant poolside supervision. Many factors need to be considered. The guidance specifically recommends constant poolside supervision if the water is deeper than 1.5m and if food and drink are available to pool users, both of which applied to Neptune Pool.
The full report is available here.
the tendering process for major wreck removals can be prohibitively expensive
Reducing Salvage Tender Costs
Costa Concordia salvage By MarEx 2015-08-24 03:13:46
A small number of highly visible cases have thrust wreck removal into the public consciousness, and it is now provides more income to salvors than emergency response.
“One thinks, of course, of MSC Napoli; Costa Concordia and the Rena,” said Leendert Muller, president of the International Salvage Union (ISU). “It is even being called the “Costa effect” – the idea that anything is possible.”
Muller was speaking at the 2015 LOC Asian Marine Casualty Forum held in Singapore earlier this year, and he said that, as a result, the tendering process for major wreck removals can be prohibitively expensive.
When an invitation to tender for a wreck removal is issued, interested contractors want to deploy teams to the site to conduct their own analysis of the condition of the vessel and the nature of the ground where it is lying. It can require the services of divers, salvage masters, surveyors, naval architects and environmental specialists. Salvage vessels, work boats and helicopters may need to be chartered and bathymetric surveys carried out.
“One ISU member bidding for Costa Concordia job stated publicly they had spent €500,000 ($570,000) preparing their unsuccessful bid,” said Muller. “These costs will not be defrayed for the firms which do not secure the work, and contractors may decide it is uneconomic to mount a bid.”
In other cases would-be contractors have little opportunity to carry out a full wreck survey because of time pressure or access difficulties. “Even if they do, it is unlikely to be comprehensive and the wreck may subsequently reveal unpleasant surprises. It is in this context that “no cure, no pay” arrangements are unpopular with contractors for large wreck removals, and it may affect the authorities’ consideration of proposed methodologies.”
It is surely in everyone’s interest that there should be a body of competent, well-capitalized contractors available globally to conduct wreck removal operations, said Muller. “There should be competition. ISU has suggested one simple way to encourage bids and that is for the relevant Club to provide common survey data to all shortlisted bidders. Indeed there are some examples of this already having being done. We would like to see more of it, and it is something that we will continue to press for.”
Once contractors formulate their bid, the type of contract used will be an important consideration. The revised BIMCO wreck contracts - with an element of “carrot and stick” are popular and sensible. However, ISU feels there is still too much liability and risk for the salvor.
“We would certainly like to see the insurers take more of that risk. It would lower costs as salvors would not build that element into their price. There is also the question of the contractor’s own liability “C” insurance and where the cost for that should lie. In short, we seek more leadership from the Clubs in showing flexibility and partnering in the risk of the job. We think it will lower tender prices.”
Muller said that more of a joint effort in the tendering phase could reduce costs as there would be more transparency between the parties. “We recognize that it takes time to build trust and that our members must play their part. I do not believe that, generally, ISU members set out to milk a project, and ISU would certainly disapprove of this kind of behavior. It is in our long term interests that we should be trusted partners, and we recognize the potential for suspicion.”
A joint effort would also enable a more united front if it is necessary to challenge the requirements of the authorities. “We are all agreed that the role of the authorities is central in driving up the costs of wreck removal.” In the spirit of cooperation, Muller said that salvors need to recognize that officials and politicians are the servants of the wider public. And there is no doubt that society’s attitude to the environment has fundamentally shifted in the past 30 years.
“Rather than fighting against it, we should embrace it and present ourselves as partners able to solve a state’s problem. But the quid pro quo is that they should respect our judgement of what is a sensible and proportionate approach that will also be clean. We have a great body of evidence to show what can be done.
“I suggest we have the twin, and dangerous combination, of the authorities having too much knowledge and too little knowledge. On the one hand they have had visibility of hugely complex and successful wreck removals. On the other hand they do not have deep technical knowledge.
“It means that unrealistic expectations may be raised and unnecessary demands made. Just because something can be done does not mean it should be done. And I come back to the importance of presenting a united front in the proposition of the best removal method and requirements.”
Unlike good wine, wrecks do not improve with age, said Muller. Often the quicker an operation can be undertaken the less expensive it will be. All efforts must be made to expedite the survey, tendering and engineering phases, and the authorities must understand this and play their part.
SUICIDE BY DROWNING: Coast Guard suspends search for man overboard from motor vessel Stewart J. Cort, a U.S.-flagged freighter owned by the Interlake Steamship Company in Lake Michigan
MILWAUKEE — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man who reportedly jumped overboard from a freighter near Big Sable Point in Lake Michigan early Sunday morning. August 23rd, 2015
Just before 2 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a report, via Rescue 21 on VHF-FM Ch. 16, from the motor vessel Stewart J. Cort, a 989-foot, U.S.-flagged freighter owned by the Interlake Steamship Company, that they had a man overboard approximately 3-4 miles offshore of Big Sable Point. Crew members witnessed the man climb over the rail and jump from the vessel. The crew members immediately deployed three life rings and notified the navigation bridge. The vessel turned and began a systematic search for the man. Due to conditions at the time and the impending weather forecast, the decision was made not to deploy the vessel’s small workboat. The motor vessels Samuel D. Champlain, Joyce L. Van Encevort and Vikingbank were also in the area also began to assist with the search.
Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan launched a crew from Coast Guard Station Manistee, Michigan, aboard a 45-foot response boat and a crews from Coast Guard Air Facility Muskegon, Michigan, and Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan, aboard Dolphin helicopters. The Coast Guard completed a total of 11 different searches covering 76 square nautical miles. Additionally, multiple commercial vessels in the area participated in the search efforts.
Forecasted weather for the search area include a small-craft advisory in effect from 8 a.m., EDT this Sunday through Monday evening with 20-25 knot winds veering west to 30 knots. Showers and thunderstorms are likely until midday and waves range from 3-5 feet.
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M/V
Stewart J. Cort
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Carrying Capacity:
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58,000 Gross Tons
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Overall Length:
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1000.0'
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Beam:
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105.0'
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Year Built:
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1972
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Official Number:
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532272
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Hull Depth:
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49.0'
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Engine Horsepower:
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14,400
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M/V
Stewart J. Cort was the first 1000-foot vessel on the Great
Lakes when she entered service for Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1972. Her
bow and stern sections, built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula,
Mississippi, were joined together and called "Stubby" for
the trip to the Great Lakes. At Erie Marine, Erie, Pennsylvania, "Stubby"
was cut apart and joined with the midbody built there. The Cort
is the only 1000-footer with pilot house forward. All crew accommodations are
also forward. Her self-unloading system's shuttle boom is contained within
the after cabin structure. Interlake Leasing III secured the bareboat charter
of the Cort in 2005.
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Two Coast Guard cutters aid disabled fishing boat southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts
Aug 23rd, 2015
Coast Guard Cutter crews from the Escanaba and Tybee tow disabled fishing vessel Chazy’s Toy to safety Aug., 23 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tybee)
BOSTON — Crews aboard two Coast Guard cutters brought an 83-foot fishing vessel safely to anchorage at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday.
Watchstanders at the First Coast Guard District Command Center, were notified at 11:30 a.m. Saturday that the scallop fishing vessel Chaz’s Toy lost propulsion during a living marine resource boarding by the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba crew 120 miles southeast of Nantucket.
The crew of the 270-ft Escanaba issued a marine assistance request broadcast for Chaz’s Toy soliciting commercial or good Samaritan assistance for the vessel, which went unanswered.
The cutter took the vessel in stern tow at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The following morning, the crew of the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Tybee relieved the Escanaba crew and continued to bring the vessel toward shore.
At around 8 p.m. Sunday, the crew of the Tybee brought Chaz’s Toy safely to anchorage off Nantucket. The owner of the fishing vessel assessed that the damage could not be corrected at sea. The owner is working with a commercial salvage company to determine future action.
“The crew of the Escanaba seamlessly shifted between missions to ensure the safety of the fishing vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Overdorf, a watchstander at the Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England command center. “All crews: the Escanaba, Tybee, and Chaz’s Toy exhibited great team work and professionalism.”
The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba is home-ported in Boston. The Coast Guard Cutter Tybee is homeported in Wood’s Hole. The Chaz’s Toy is home-ported in Beaufort, North Carolina and intending to head to New Bedford to offload their catch.
One of the Coast Guard’s missions is to enforce domestic fisheries laws to ensure the sustainability of Atlantic fisheries. The Coast Guard, in coordination with other federal and state agencies, enforces marine resource management and protection regimes to preserve healthy stocks of fish and other living marine resources.