Seaways-Grace

The 'Aviator'and 'Atlantic Grace' were extricated on Dec 4 at 7.15 a.m. Debunkering of 463 tons of fuel oil was under finalisation by salvors. No oil spill reported. The 'Samudra Pavak' of the Indian Coast Guard was monitoring the situation. The 'Atlantic Grace' was now underway to Kandla while the 'Aviator' with a huge hole in its port side was being towed to a port of refuge. Video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1467057975084797958

The 'Aviator' and 'Atlantic Grace' have been successfully separated from each other on Nov 29. The accident on Nov 26 was thought to have been caused by a navigational error. None of the crew aboard either vessel was injured and there were no reports of an oil leak, but the damage was extensive. The 'Atlantic Grace' was outbound on a return voyage to Fujairah with a crew of 21 Indian nationals aboard. The vessel was sailing in ballast when it struck the bulkcarrier amidships at port side in the number three cargo hold. The 'Aviator' had earlier departed the port for the anchorage. It was unclear if the unloaded ship had reached the anchorage or was still maneuvering at the time of the accident. She has a crew of 23 from the Philippines on board. As of Nov 30, the patrol boat 'CG 203' and the tugs 'M. T. Amarsukh', 'Ocean Zircon' and 'Water Lily' were on site. The salvage is a delicate operation conducted mid-sea where it has to be ensured there is no further damage to the hull or the bulk carrier does not tilt. The hull breach had occurred above the waterline so there was no immediate danger of the bulker sinking. The Indian Coast Guard reported that both vessels would be detained while the investigation was ongoing. Report with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/tanker-strikes-bulker-while-departing-indian-port

On Nov 29 the 'Atlantic Grace' and 'Aviatior' were still stuck in pos. 22° 34.04' N 069° 19.53' E in the Gulf of Kutch. Ships attending on site were the pollution control vessel 'CG 203' (IMO: 9341237), and the tugs 'Ocean Zircon' (IMO: 9619361), 'Sharan' (IMO: 9688491) and 'Water Lily' (IMO: 9620865). The 'Aviation' had reported water ingress in cargo hold No.3, but it is reported to be stable now. She has dropped starboard and port side anchors (port side only 2.5 shackles). Both vessels were holding position and there was no drift. They were just outside the DW Channel (south side), about one nautical mile north of shallow waters. The situation was being monitored by the Coast Guard.