Costa-Rican-Star

On Jan 27, 2014, around 7:30 ,a.m. the "Costa Rican Star" notified the CROSS Joburg about losing two empty containers. The reefer was located west of the traffic separation scheme of the Caskets, about 50 nautical miles west of Cap de la Hague (Cotentin). The CROSS Joburg immediately informed the vessels transiting the area. The maritime prefecture then issued an urgent notice to mariners. The Maritime Operations Centre deployed an EC 225 helicopter of the French Navy base in Maupertus to investigate the situation. Due to the relatively accurate initial position provided by the ship the helicopter crew quickly identifed the two containers and marked the boxes with a tag which allowed the maritime prefecture to track the containers in real time and thus avoid collisions. Around 6:20 p.m., the beacons ceased to work so it was very likely that they sank. The "Costa Rican Star" which was enroute from Dakar, where it had sailed on Jan 21, to Antwerp where it was expected on Jan 28, docked at Dover port on Jan 27 around 10.20 p.m. It left the port again on Jan 28 at 1.50 p.m. and finally berthed at the Vrasen Dock in Antwerp on Jan 29 at 4.30 a.m. French report with photo: http://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/actualites-communiques-presse/marquage-deux-conteneurs-perdus-manche.html

Early in the morning Nov 27 13 reefer Costa Rican Star allided with Chinese cargo vessel on Qingdao road, allision was caused by a bad weather. Reefer’s anchor dragged, vessel drifted towards Chinese vessel and hit it by stern. Both vessels suffered damages, Chinese vessel reportedly lost anchor. Presumably reefer allided with general cargo vessel De Qin 88. General cargo vessel De Qin 88, MMSI 413439340, length 173 meters, flag China.