The CSSC Cape Town is a 120,000 dwt bulk carrier built last year. As she entered Gibraltar's territorial waters on Friday night, she sustained an explosion in the vicinity of the forecastle, according to the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA). Two members of the all-Chinese crew were treated abord the vessel by paramedics from the Gibraltar Health Authority. First responders decided to evacuate the other two victims for urgent treatment, and the Port of Algeciras offered to assist with a helicopter medevac. GHA responders decided to transport them to St Bernard's Hospital in Gibraltar, and they were then transferred onwards to a burn unit in Seville to treat extensive burn injuries (40 and 25 percent, respectively). The vessel's anchoring system was not functional after the blast, and she was not immediately able to anchor. She remains stable and fully operational in all other respects, the Gibraltar Port Authority said, and repairs to her anchoring equipment will begin shortly. Class and flag state representatives will also attend to conduct an inspection and safety investigation.
Source: Maritime Executive (Click for further of the article)
Source: Maritime Executive (Click for further of the article)