The US Coast Guard coordinated the tow of the disabled 'GDF Suez Northsea' into the port of New York and New Jersey after it lost propulsion over 100 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug 21, 2018
The US Coast Guard coordinated the tow of the disabled 'GDF Suez Northsea' into the port of New York and New Jersey after it lost propulsion over 100 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug 21, 2018. At around 9:00 p.m. watchstanders of the Coast Guard New York received a report that the bulk carrier with 21 crew members aboard was disabled. The Coast Guard monitored the situation over the following days as the crew attempted to repair the propulsion system. In the night of Aug 23, the crew determined they were unable to affect repairs, and the Coast Guard began facilitating an offshore salvage operation. An HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene on Aug 24 at 10:45 a.m. to establish communications with the vessel and assess its condition. The owner of the 'GDF Suez North Sea' dispatched the tug 'Atlantic Salvor' from the port of New York and New Jersey to rendezvous with the vessel over 100 miles offshore and take her under tow. The 'Atlantic Salvor' began towing operations towards New York around 12:30 p.m. Coast Guard Sector New York personnel closely monitored the vessel’s transit through busy offshore shipping lanes. Upon arrival to Ambrose Channel, the Coast Guard directed the use of at least three tugs to tow the disabled vessel into New York Harbor and to its berth in Newark. On Aug 26, the Vessel Traffic Service coordinated and managed the complex towing evolution through the port of New York, and Coast Guard personnel from the Station New York provided a safety escort. The vessel which was carrying cement cargo from Elvesis docked in Newark at 6.15 p.m. The cause of the vessel’s loss of propulsion was under investigation. Report with photo: coastguardnews.co...
