Iron Ore Carrier GIANT STEP Grounds at Kashima, Japan; Death Toll now at Eight, Two More Missing

The grounding of the MOL-operated iron ore carrier “GIANT STEP,” which occurred at Kashima Port in Ibaragi Prefecture on the evening of October 6, 2006, has claimed the lives of at least eight seafarers. Of the 26 crewmembers on board at the time of the incident, eight are now confirmed dead by the ship’s operators, two more are missing and the balance of the crew are safe. Japanese Coast Guard helicopters rescued thirteen seamen and three more drifted ashore.

The M/V “GIANT STEP” departed from Port Walcott, Australia, with 190,000 tons of iron ore on September 11, 2006. According to the vessel’s operators, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), “the ship arrived off Kashima Port on September 25, and anchored while standing by for an open pier. The ship weighed anchor and started to move offshore to avoid a rapidly growing atmospheric depression. However, the ship was unable to complete the maneuver. Subsequently, winds in excess of 20-30 mps blew ship aground 2 km offshore in 16 meters of water.”

Reportedly, the hull has cracked and broken into three pieces, and an oil spill has been observed. The 1985-built Panamanian flag vessel carries a normal complement of 26 crewmembers and has a deadweight capacity of 197,060 tons. MOL is working to prevent further oil spills from the fuel tanks and has conducted underwater inspections with the intent of extracting the remaining oil. A press release by MOL stated, “MOL will start full-scale oil removal work if weather and hydrographic conditions permit.” This and other MOL press releases also said, “MOL expresses its deepest sorrow at the loss of the crew members and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families.”

The grounding follows two other high-profile incidents this year involving MOL vessels. On July 23rd, the car carrier COUGAR ACE reported that it was severely listing after problems arose during a required open-sea transfer of ballast water on July 23, approximately 230 miles south of Adak, AK. The vessel was eventually stabilized, and salvage crews spent several weeks righting the vessel, securing its cargo and making it habitable. Eventually, the 654-foot Singapore-flagged car carrier was towed to Portland, OR for repairs and discharge of its cargo of about 4,700 automobiles; all of which Mazda eventually declared were not to be sold as new. The vessel’s entire complement of 23 crew members was successfully evacuated, but the death of a survey / salvage worker marred early recovery efforts.

In mid-August, the MOL operated VLCC BRIGHT ARTEMIS suffered a gash to its hull during a mid-sea rescue in which it came alongside the general cargo ship AMAR in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a spill of crude oil. In response, the tanker transferred cargo internally to other tanks to prevent any further spillage of oil. The BRIGHT ARTEMIS had tried to maneuver near the smaller vessel, AMAR, which had reported a fire on board, but a wind wave swept the AMAR into the BRIGHT ARTEMIS. According to the tanker’s operators, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the accident took place 300 miles west of India's Nicobar Islands. Follow-up monitoring and surveys of oil spilled from the tanker BRIGHT ARTEMIS later revealed only thin oil sheens on the high sea, 30 miles or more from the Great Nicobar Island. The last survey was completed on September 12 and was conducted by pollution experts, who led an aerial survey from a chartered airplane. The slicks were said to be drifting further south to southeast and “will dissipate soon with no possibility of reaching any coast or shoreline.”

There were no injuries reported on board the tanker. The crew of the AMAR was rescued by the BRIGHT ARTEMIS and other vessels that were in the vicinity. Mitsui O.S.K. immediately reported the spill to Singaporean and Indian Coast Guard officials. Based on their research and that of others, the company announced that they had received approval from the Indian Coast Guard to terminate the monitoring and oil removal countermeasures on September 14. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines took the opportunity to express its appreciation to the Indian Coast Guard for its assistance and to other concerned parties for their support and cooperation on this incident. The company has also apologized for any anxiety caused by the incident.