- The Indian CG working with teams from Sri Lanka have been able to bring the fire under control that has been raging for two days aboard the VLCC tanker New Diamond.
- Teams have also been able to board the tanker, which was drifting, and attach a tow line.
- The fire appeared to be spreading out of control aboard the tanker, which is carrying approximately two million barrels of crude oil that was bound for an Indian oil refinery.
Very Large Crude Carrier New Diamond issued distress signal early in the morning Sep 3, reporting fire in engine room, in Bay of Bengal some 40 nm east of southeast Sri Lanka coast, writes . The ship is disabled, drifting since around 0200 UTC.
Incident Update
September 3 0815 UTC
- Reportedly, non-essential crew left tanker and went on board of passing cargo ship, understood it’s product tanker Helen M (IMO 9308223). Captain and several other crew remained on board, continuing firefighting.
- Sri Lanka officials said Navy and CG ships and boats responded to fire, but non are seen yet in the vicinity of drifting New Diamond.
September 3 1330 UTC
- According to the official information from Sri Lanka and India authorities, all crew left the ship, including Captain and 2 crew who remained on board after majority of the crew, 19 seamen, left tanker earlier. 1 crew was said to be missing, 1 injured.
- The fire was under control, but blazed out again, and was spreading from engine room to superstructure. AIS was off.
September 3 1510 UTC
Judging from the Indian CG aerial photo, fire broke through into superstructure and superstructure was engulfed in blaze.
September 3 1840 UTC
Photos from Indian CG showed the fire was still not under control, but didn’t get through cofferdam or cargo deck to cargo tanks.
September 4 0400 UTC
- Firefighting continued and was carried out by joint efforts of Indian, Sri Lankan and Russian Navy and CG ships, offshore tug APL Winger (IMO 9367504). At least 2 tugs from Hambantota port are also deployed.
- Master of New Diamond was on board of one of the ships, assisting in firefighting. Fire was contained around portside superstructure, tanker developed slight portside list, nothing unusual in major fire accidents.
- Tanker drifted some 20 nm SW, closer to Sri Lanka coast, now she’s some 25 nm off coastline with inoperative AIS.
September 4 1615 UTC
According to Indian Coast Guard, fire was under control. Tanker was ready to be towed either off to ocean away from Sri Lankan coast, or if/when fire is extinguished, to nearest most suitable port.
September 4 1820 UTC
Offshore tug ALP Winger (IMO 9367504) took New Diamond on tow, towage commenced at around 1620 UTC, in eastern direction, at some 2 knots speed.
September 5 0910 UTC
- Fire was under control, the smoke still billowing from superstructure is of white-grey color, meaning that inflammables, including probably fuel, were doused or burned out.
- Tanker is under tow of offshore tug ALP Winger, slowly moving in northern direction, without it seems, any destination in mind, waiting until fire is extinguished, and tanker is safe to be towed to port. Reportedly, owner assigned salvage company, name unknown.
September 5
19 crew of VLCC New Diamond were rescued in the morning September 3 by MT Helen M (IMO 9308223), passing tanker Helen M was the first ship to respond, and the first ship on the site.
September 6 0600 UTC
The fire reignited, most probably in tanker’s bunker fuel. Tanker is slowly towed around, while firefighting continues. New Diamond appointed SMIT Salvage as salvage company, British and Dutch joint team to arrive to Sri Lanka soon.
September 6 1330 UTC
According to latest ICG report, fire seems to be doused, no visible flames anymore.
Vessel Information
Crude oil tanker NEW DIAMOND, IMO 9191424, dwt 299986, built 2000, flag Panama, manager NEW SHIPPING LTD-LIB, Greece (EQUASIS).
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Source: Maritime Bulletin
