CASE STUDY 7:

Collision of tanker “EAGLE OTOME” with barge

(in confined waters & oil overflow)

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Collision of tanker “EAGLE OTOME” with barge
(in confined waters & oil overflow)

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1) Vessel’s name, type, size, cargo transported:
M/T “EAGLE OTOME”, aframax tanker transporting crude oil.

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 2) Vessels’ characteristics and particulars
(as involved in accident), plus accident data:
Factual Information for Vessels:
Singapore-registered oil tankship Eagle Otome, official No. 386067, (IMO) No. 9051351,
810 feet long, 138 feet wide, 53,504 GT, steel, built in 1994
Total cargo carrying capacity: 693,903 barrels

Bahamas-registered general cargo vessel Gull Arrow, official No. 720410, IMO No. 7930137,
597 feet long, 95 feet wide, 25,846 gross tons, steel construction, built in 1982.

U.S.-registered towboat Dixie Vengeance, official No. 506543, 74 feet long, 24 feet wide,
143 gross registered tons, built in 1966.

U.S.-registered tank barge Kirby 30406, 297 feet long, 54 feet wide, 1,619 GT, built in 1993
Total cargo carrying capacity: 30,500 barrels.

U.S.-registered tank barge Kirby 28112, 300 feet long, 54 feet wide, 1,632 DWT, built in 2009.
Total cargo carrying capacity: 28,323 barrels 4
 2) Vessels’ characteristics and particulars
(as involved in accident), plus accident data:

Accident Type: Collision

Location: Sabine-Neches Canal, Port of Port Arthur, Texas, latitude 29 51.6 N, longitude 93 56.4 W
Date: January 23, 2010
Time: 09:35 central standard time
Eagle Otome: AET Inc. Ltd.
Owners: Gull Arrow: Gearbulk Shipowning Ltd.
Dixie Vengeance and barges: Kirby Inland Marine, LLC
Eagle Otome: $1.5 million
Gull Arrow: $381,000
Property Damage:
Kirby 30406 barge: $35,000
Dixie Vengeance: none
Environmental Pollution: An estimated 11,000 barrels, of Olmeca crude oil released into the Sabine-Neches Canal
Injuries: None
Eagle Otome, 22
Gull Arrow, 29
Complement:
Kirby 30406, none
Dixie Vengeance, 4
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 3) Type of accident and date / place:
In January 2010 at Port Arthur / USA, this tanker collided with a barge in the
“Sabine – Neches” water-way, spilling approx. 460,000 gallons of crude oil.

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 4) Accident location, country, closest city/ port:
As in screen # 2, see also Resolve depot with oil pollution abatement equipment and
materials, plus huge fire-fighting pumps, all deployed at designated locations / depot,
as per OPA-90 rules (as applicable for the SMFF service providers)

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 5) Accident conditions-description:
Tanker collision inside navigation channel with a barge and cargo oil spilled into channel

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 6) Crew injuries, cargo and vessel’s damages:
No crew injury, only crude oil spilled in channel.
Big hole & cracks i.w.o. vessel’s starboard side, plus onboard neighboring / berthed bulker.

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7) Oil pollution or fire incident: Oil pollution only, no fire.

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 8A) Available video and photos:
Series of photos & local maps, plus specific photos depicting the Resolve infrastructure,
readily available for deploying to cope with such accidents.

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 8B) Available video and photos:
Series of photos & local maps, plus specific photos depicting the Resolve infrastructure,
readily available for deploying to cope with such accidents.

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 9A) Type of Resolve involvement:
Use of the existing VRP, stabilization of vessel & its lightering, before returning it to the
owners. Resolve mobilized portable and fire pumps, lightering pumps and intrinsically safe
power packs to the casualty site and all above in close collaboration with USCG.

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9B) Type of Resolve involvement:

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 10A) Conclusions as to be made:
• Comply always with collision avoidance regulation – COLREG / requirements.
• Have always onboard the USCG approved VRP (and to have used this during drills).

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 10B) Conclusions as to be made:
Pilot / Master / Duty Deck Officer to take care the series of prevailing hydrodynamic
effects, when navigating in channels, shallow waters, avoid “squat” phenomenon”, etc.

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 10C) Conclusions as to be made:
• Carry out always emergency drills (for possible oil pollution from cargo or bunkers).
• Have available onboard effective procedures for selection and cooperation with a
pertinent Salvor, with adequate infrastructure & available salvage masters & workers

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