Presented by Capt. Charles Claden, Les Abeilles international

NMRI-CEDRE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE SEMINARTokyo, 17-18 October 2001

THE SALVAGE ATTEMPT OF THECHEMICAL TANKER IEVOLI SUN

- Preventing a Major Pollution -

First InformationMonday 30th October, 4h30

• Corsen point MRCC informs Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic of distress call from Italian Chemical Tanker Ievoli Sun (4h14)

• Situated 45 NM North of Batz island (French Brittany), crew of 14

• 6000 tons of chemical products on board

• Bound from Fawley (UK) to Bar (Yugoslavia)

Réaction immédiateLundi 30 octobre, 4h30-8h00

• The high seas tug Abeille Flandre (Capt. Seiler), pre-positioned at Ushant Island, is sent for assistance

• A Super Frelon helicopter for the Lanveoc Navy airbase is with evaluation team

• A risk assessment team is mobilised, for gathering at Maritime Prefecture

Further InformationMonday 30th October, 5h00-8h00

• Captain informs of structural weakness and water inflow in bow compartments of double bottom

• Requests stern towing and possible crew evacuation

• Signals fuel leak and possible chemical leaks supposed from bow part. Ship castle safe.

Crew EvacuationMonday 30th October, 8h05-9h40

• The Super Frelon takes off at 7h15, over ship at 7h58

• Situation of vessel is alarming, master requests immediate evacuation

• Diver is winched on vessel. Lifting crew starts at 8h22

• Successful crew and master evacuation is completed at 9h02.

• Touch down Lanveoc runway at 9h39

Crew Evacuation

Abeilles Flandre Surveys ShipMonday 30th October, 9h20-10h00

• Ievoli Sun reached at 9h20

• Ship very low on water, bow submerged by larger waves

• Lights on, power on board

• Small slicks pouring from bow part (cargo ?)

• Impossible to predict whether ship will sink or not.

• Towing seems technically feasible.

Shipcondition

andBehaviour

Gathering Vessel InformationMonday 30th October, 8h30-14h00

Identification of CargoMonday 30th October, 8h30-16h00

First Information on Cargo risksMonday 30th October, 10h00-18h00

Styrene monomerStyrene monomer

• Vapours heavier than air, eye and lung irritant, liable to produce temporary tainting of seafood (Marpol B)

• Risk for salvage crew : possible explosion would the ship brake in two, possible neural damage from by vapours

First Information on Cargo risksMonday 30th October, 10h00-18h00

OthersOthers

• MEK : vapours heavier that air, very volatile, explosive when mixed with air, almost non toxic to marine life (Marpol III)

• IPA : very flammable, volatile, almost non toxic to marine life (Marpol III)

• IFO and Diesel : see Erika experience

Databases Information on ProductsMonday 30th October, 8h30-12h00

GESAMP Risk TableMonday 30th October, afternoon

Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution

• Styrene : Bioaccumulable, rather toxic to biological resources, danger for man if breathed or in contact with skin, heavy impact on Environment

• MEK : No risk on all points except minor impact on Environment

• IPA : No risk on all points

• Plus bunkers hazards (IFO and Diesel)

First Drift PrevisionsMonday 30th October, 11 AM

• Ship to be washed ashore on Côtes d’Armor or Guernesey during night of 31st October if not towed.

• Risk of Cason scenario

Captains prepare for TowingMonday 30th October, 10h00-11h30

• From Abeille Flandre Capt. Seiler calls for intervention team with chemical protection to connect the towline on Ievoli Sun

• At Maritime Prefecture Capt. Claden interviews Ievoli Sun captain, first mate and first engineer

Information on IncidentMonday 30th October, 11h30-12h30

• Flooding alarm in bow thruster room at 12h30 on 29 October

• Pumping is impossible : hydraulic system out of order

• Decision : continue route at 5 knots

• By midnight, ship becomes heavy, water fills bow peak and double hulls 1 and 2 (plus 3 in part)

Information for Towline ConnectionMonday 30th October, 11h30-12h30

• Winches cannot be used : hydraulic system is out of order

• Stern crane has independent hydraulic engine. Could possibly be used. Command command box is in starboard funnel casing

• Electricity onboard : starboard generator left running

Preparation of Intervention Team

Monday 30th October, 11h00-12h00

• A light team of 6 : 2 officers, 3 marine firemen, 1 chemical hazard fireman

• Each with light helicopter waterproof suit, 2 h respiratory equipment, life jacket, VHF, explosion meter, helmet, tools (220 kg/man)

• 2 doctors and cameraman aboard helicopter

Intervention TacticsMonday 30th October, 12h00-12h30

• Overflight of ship and buoyancy assessment

• Winching of Capt. Claden with explosion meter, contamination assessment

• Assessment of ship situation, winching of respiratory equipment, winching of team

• Stern investigation, towing gear selection

• Towline connection, ship safeguard, departure

Briefing, Training, DepartureMonday 30th October, 12h30-14h50

• Dressing team, testing and exercising equipment

• Super Frelon temporarily out of order. Team distributed in two smaller Lynx helicopters

• Take off at 14.30. Arrival above ship at 14.50

Arrival of Team OnboardMonday 30th October, 14h50-15h20

• Diver and Capt. Claden winched onboard. Castle portside inspection. Ship situation assessment

• Equipment and rest of crew winched onboard

• Technical problem on one helicopter. Both obliged to leave area

Towline ConnectionMonday 30th October, 16h00-16h50

• Waves 8-9 m. Stern deck small. No hydraulics available.

• Decision : hoist light gear by hand and pull towline gear from Abeilles Flandre

• Success at second attempt (16h50)

• Expecting return of Super Frelon

Ship Investigation and DepartureMonday 30th October, 16h50-18h00

• Overall tour of accessible ship areas (deck, castle, cargo control room)

• Recovery of cargo computer and available documents

• No evidence of cargo leak. Evidence of work on hydraulics (leak of hydraulic oil).

• 18h00 : departure after closing castle door (bad condition, 3 men needed)

Towing UnderwayMonday 30th October, from 14h50

• East-North-East, 4 knots

• Toward Cherbourg port or stranding in Cotentin shelter

Towing underway

Ievoli Sun Sinks 3/4 of WayTuesday 31st October, 9h30

• 9 NM North-West of Aurigny island (British Isles)

• 20 NM from cape of La Hague (France)

Scene of a New PotentialCrisis is Set With :

• A double hull recent European vessel (European crew)

• 3 chemicals (Styrene, Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone, Isopropylic Alcohol) + bunker

• The second activation of the POLMAR response plan in 11 months

• No visible pollution and no recovery at sea technique at hand

Ship and Cargo Salvage Failed

• But a major potential catastrophe was avoided

• Leaving a potential threat along a major navigation route, close to important fishing beds

• And wreck investigations will soon show that further action remains possible

Wreck investigation

Vessel upturned,

3 breaches,

1 imploded tank,

minor seeps,

strong currents