11083
From: Captainj, [DNS_Address]
Subject: USCG, Multiple Vessels Responding to ‘Significant’ Fire on Vehicle
URL: http://gcaptain.com/coast-guard-responding-to-significant-fire-on-vehicle-carrier-in-pacific/
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Carrier in Pacific Ocean; Master Reported Intent to Abandon Ship... The U.S. Coast Guard and several commercial vessels are responding to a reported ‘significant’ vessel fire on the vehicle carrier Sincerity Ace approximately 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu on the high seas, Monday. One commercial vessel, the Green Lake, is on scene and assessing possible assistance and rescue options, with three additional commercial vessels and a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew en route, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Honolulu received notification from JRCC Japan at 1:04 a.m. of the situation. Watchstanders in Honolulu immediately issued a SafetyNet broadcast requesting the assistance of vessels in the area and directed the launch of the Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point. The master of the Sincerity Ace reported a significant vessel fire, with ongoing firefighting efforts and an intent to abandon ship, the Coast Guard said. The crew was able to launch one of the life rafts, and four of the 21 mariners abandoned ship with lifejackets, according to the Coast Guard. It is unconfirmed if they reached the life raft upon entering the water. The remaining 17 crew are reportedly continuing to fight the fire. Weather is reported as 17-foot seas with winds at 26 mph. “The distance involved here requires any and all available support, we thank the crews of the commercial vessels for volunteering to assist and have Coast Guard air support en route,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Les Elliott of JRCC Honolulu. “We are thankful no injuries have been reported but are cognizant a lot is happening, and that may change at any time,” said Elliott. The 650-foot (199-meter) Sincerity Ace is a Panamanian- flagged car carrier and was on a voyage from Yokohama, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii. The ship was built in 2009. Of the responding commercial vessels, the Green Lake is a 655-foot U.S.-flagged car carrier traveling from Japan to the U.S. mainland. The second vessel is a Panamanian-flagged LNG tanker, the 968-foot SM Eagle on a voyage from the U.S. mainland to Korea. Two additional vessels, a car carrier, and a tanker are also en route. The Coast Guard said it is also launching a second Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point. Both aircraft are equipped with self locating datum marker buoys to track positions and additional search and rescue equipment such as life rafts and survival gear that can be dropped to survivors. In addition to the Coast Guard aircraft, the U.S. Navy will be providing a fixed wing aircraft to assist in search efforts. The Coast Guard reported that the responding commercial vessels are part of the AMVER, or Automated Mutual- Assistance Vessel Rescue System, a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. |
11085
From: Captainj, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Burning Car Carrier Sincerity Ace Abandoned in Pacific Ocean; Two Miss
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ing... The U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and two merchant vessels are continuing searching for two missing crew members from the burning car carrier Sincerity Ace approximately 1,800 nautical miles (2,000 miles) northwest of Oahu, Hawaii, the Coast Guard updated Tuesday. According to the update, good samaritans aboard four merchant vessels have rescued 16 of the 21 crew after the Panamanian-flagged vessel caught fire Monday during a voyage from Japan to Honolulu. Sadly, three of the five missing crew members were reportedly located, but were unable to be recovered as they were unresponsive and unable to grab onto life saving equipment, the Coast Guard said. Search efforts are focused on the two remaining potential survivors in a search area of 5,832 square nautical miles (6,711 square statute miles). The Sincerity Ace is currently adrift in seas reported as 15 to 18-feet and winds at 17 mph. Reduced white caps have improved visibility, the Coast Guard said. Full Coverage: Sincerity Ace Fire “An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew has re- deployed from Wake Island, following mandatory crew rest, to assist in the search. The crews of the Motor Vessel New Century 1 and Genco Augustus are actively searching the area. JRCC Honolulu watchstanders are continuing to identify merchant vessels in the area able to respond and assist, ” the Coast Guard said in its update. The merchant vessel crews and a Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew will continue to search overnight for the unaccounted- for crew members. The merchant vessels Green Lake, SM Eagle, and Venus Spirit, which diverted to the scene on Monday, have resumed their commercial voyages. “We are thankful for the assistance the crews of these merchant vessels have given us during this event significantly reducing possible response time,” said Lt. Duane Zitta, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu. “Their quick actions provided for the rescue of 16 members of the crew who would otherwise still be in the water and are continuing to aid us.” The owners of the Sincerity Ace are coordinating with the vessels for the transport of the rescued crew members as a salvage plan is being formalized. Commercial tugs have been dispatched by the shipowner. JRCC Honolulu received the initial notification of situation from JRCC Japan at 1:04 a.m. on Monday, December 31. The master of the Sincerity Ace reported a significant fire on board, ongoing firefighting efforts, and an intent to abandon ship. Watchstanders in Honolulu immediately issued a SafetyNet broadcast requesting the assistance of vessels in the area and directed the launch of the Hercules aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point. The 650-foot (199-meter) Sincerity Ace is a Panamanian- flagged car carrier and was on a voyage from Yokohama, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii. The ship was built in 2009 and has capacity of 6,400 vehicles. It is managed by Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd. Involved in the search to date: – Two Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews – A Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew – Crew of the Motor Vessel Green Lake – Crew of the SM Eagle – Crew of the Motor Vessel New Century 1 – Crew of the Motor Vessel Venus Spirit – Crew of the Motor Vessel Genco Augustus |
11087
From: kay.so.or, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Burning Car Carrier Sincerity Ace Abandoned in Pacific Ocean; Two...
| heart breaking for them and their families....I hope they find the other two alive...the odds are against them I know....thanks for posting...prayers going out for them...k |
Responses:
None
11086
From: Captainj, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Burning Car Carrier Sincerity Ace Abandoned in Pacific Ocean; Two...
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We have obtained satellite AIS data showing the car carrier Sincerity Ace and the commercial response that followed after the vessel suffered a major fire during a voyage across the Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Eve. The satellite data is provided by exactEarth with the animation by Genscape Vesseltracker. As we have reported, the fire broke out onboard the Panamanian-flagged MV Sincerity Ace on New Year’s Eve as it was approximately half way between Japan and Hawaii. Due to the remoteness of the location, about 2,000 miles northwest of Hawaii, crews of commercial vessels participating in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) we first to respond to the scene and helped rescue 16 of the 21 crew members on board. As of Wednesday, the search was continuing for two missing crew members. Three crew members were located in the water but could not be recovered as they were unresponsive. The Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Honolulu received notification of the situation from JRCC Japan at 1:04 a.m. on December 31. Watchstanders immediately issued a SafetyNet broadcast requesting the assistance of vessels in the area. Within about 12 hours, there were five vessels assisting in the search and rescue based of what can tell from the AIS. The initial communication from the U.S. Coast Guards said the master of the Sincerity Ace reported a significant vessel fire, with ongoing firefighting efforts and an intent to abandon ship. The report said the crew was able to launch one of the life rafts and four of the 21 mariners abandoned ship with lifejackets, but Coast Guard could not confirm if they reached the life raft upon entering the water. “We are thankful for the assistance the crews of these merchant vessels have given us during this event significantly reducing possible response time,” said Lt. Duane Zitta, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu. “Their quick actions provided for the rescue of 16 members of the crew who would otherwise still be in the water and are continuing to aid us.” The 650-foot (199-meter) Sincerity Ace is a Panamanian-flagged car carrier and was on a voyage from Yokohama, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii. The ship was built in 2009 and has capacity of 6,400 vehicles. It is managed by Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd. Among the vessels that responded, the Green Lake is a 655-foot U.S.- flagged car carrier traveling from Japan to the U.S. mainland. The SM Eagle is a Panamanian-flagged LNG tanker on a voyage from the U.S. mainland to Korea. The Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System, or AMVER, is a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. Vessels and assets involved in the search to date: – Two Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews – A Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew – Crew of the Motor Vessel Green Lake – Crew of the SM Eagle – Crew of the Motor Vessel New Century 1 – Crew of the Motor Vessel Venus Spirit – Crew of the Motor Vessel Genco Augustus |
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[11088]
11088
From: chatillion, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Burning Car Carrier Sincerity Ace Abandoned in Pacific Ocean;...
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Heart goes out to crew, rescued and missing, and to their families. "Lost at sea." is a family's greatest nightmare. Candles and Wheels. CC |
Responses:
None
11084
From: chatillion, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: USCG, Multiple Vessels Responding to ‘Significant’ Fire on...
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Oh my! Candles and Wheels! |
Responses:
None