EASTERN AMBER

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Latest news

Damaged cargo ship capsized under tow

The "Eastern Amber", despite the attempts to get her to safety, capsized 25 miles northwest of Jeju Island in the East China Sea on Mar 11, while an attempt to tow her to the shelter of the island by the Japanese tug "Koyo Maru". During the night of 9th - 10th March, seas were rough, with up to four metre waves and winds upto 25m/sec Visibility was 5-10 km, with partial snow towards morning. During the tow, the "Eastern Amber"’s Master and Chief Engineer were onboard, as well as an insurance representative and three salvors. Towards morning, water leaked into the hold which had been partially repaired before, and the vessel developed a serious list. The salvors then decided it was too dangerous to continue to tow the vessel and brought all the people onboard the "Eastern Amber" back to the salvage tug and then released the tow rope. The ship sank while awaiting permission from the Korean Authorities for the salvors to beach the vessel, in extremely bad weather conditions, 23 nm off Jejudo Island and was lying 4-5 metres below the sea. At this stage there was no sign of any pollution. The "Eastern Amber" carried some 87 tonnes of fuel oil and 37 tonnes of diesel fuel, but this should not leak. At the time of sinking the ship also carried a cargo of logs below deck, and the Managers and Salvors are doing all they could to minimize any potential pollution issues. The ship had struck an unknown object on Mar 4 around 11.15 p.m. which later turned out to be a two month old sunken sand barge, partly protruding out of the sea. The 18 crew members were safely evacuated. Photos: http://www.fleetmon.com/media/maritimenews/easternamber1.jpg

Damaged cargo ship under tow to shelter

After the "Eastern Amber" collided with an unknown object on Mar 4 around 11.40 p.m. Korean LT in bad weather conditions with 3-4 metre waves and poor visibility, it was later confirmed by the Korean Coast Guard, that the unknown object was a sand barge that partially sank two months ago, with some areas still showing between 5-7 metres above sea level. The "Eastern Amber" was on its way from Inchon to Busan when it struck the wreck and developed a list. The Master requested help from the Korean Coast Guard. The crew was rescued during the night and remained in the area aboard Korean Coast Guard vessels to monitor the ship. There were no injuries and no pollution as a result of the incident. The owners have appointed a salvage team and over the weekend equipment was transported to the site. The vessel was taken in tow by the Nippon Salvage tug "Koyo Maru" after temporary repairs. The convoy was heading for the shelter of Heuksan Island, due to deteriorating weather conditions. The owners thanked the Korean Authorities, especially the Coast Guard, for their brave efforts in rescuing the crew in darkness and under stormy weather conditions.

Ship abandoned after collision

The "Eastern Amber" collided with a sand carrier off Gunsan in the Yellow Sea late at night on Mar 4, 2015. The ship was seriously damaged with foreship flooding. The crew of 18 crew was evacuated. The abandoned vessel on Mar 5 was drifting 50 nm SW of Gunsan down with the bow.