Posted on 07/29/2006 12:47:47 PM PDT by skeptoid
WINDS: Salvage tugs head for Cougar Ace as it is blown into U.S. waters.
A disabled, crewless ship loaded with nearly 5,000 autos has crossed into U.S. waters, drifting Friday toward Alaska's Aleutian chain.
The Cougar Ace was still listing on its side as it floated in choppy seas about 130 miles south of Atka Island, the Coast Guard said. The 654-foot car carrier had zigzagged more than 120 miles since it tilted sharply Sunday night, its crew rescued 24 hours later, said Petty Officer Richard Reichenbach.
The Coast Guard cutter Rush was tracking the ship as it slowly moved northeast.
"There's always concern, but we do have an asset on scene," Coast Guard Lt. Heather Neely said. "We're doing all we can, and it's not drifting very fast."
(Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...
How about this one. That's the crew in their orange survival suits.
The chart of the drift:
They said a ballast imbalance caused the problem. They were adjusting the ballast tanks at the time.
finder's keepers right?
Is the captain of the vessel on board, or is she free for salvage by the first boat there?
With millions of dollars worth of cars...er car parts aboard, why can't this wreck be towed somewhere for salvage of the cargo?
That ship, even though it's on her side, is riding awfully high. Something doesn't add up. It's as though her ballast tanks were completely empty. I find it hard to believe she crossed the ocean that way.
do we need a Save the Cars campaign?
Yes, sitting really high in the water almost like a floating basketball.
Cars are a very low density cargo, but it does seem to be riding very high in the water. If I were the insurance carrier, I'd be very interested in this.
5,000 cars at approx. 3,500 lbs. each equals 8,750 tons. You're right, that boat doesn't look right for that much cargo weight.......
Cargo ship Cougar Ace tips over, 4,700 Mazdas aboard
The Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Cougar Ace has tipped over off the coast of Alaska. All 23 crewmembers have been rescued. The same cannot be said, however, for the 4,700 Mazdas aboard the ill-fated 654-foot ship.
According to Mazda, 60% of the cars aboard are Mazda3s, and 30% are CX-7 SUVs. The Associated Press reports that the Cougar Ace tipped after her ballast was adjusted in the open sea. The resulting imbalance sent her over into the 60-degree list she is currently experiencing. As seen in the US Coast Guard photo above, her keel, rudder, and propeller are all out of the water.
The Coast Guard reports that aside from the list, the ship is stable and not sinking. Mitsui O.S.K., the Cougar Ace's owners, has initiated a salvage operation and the company they're working with is expected onsite in approximately one week.
Mazda does not know the extent of the damage to its vehicles and will refrain from further comment until it has more solid information, but based on photos of the ship, it looks like it's safe to assume that the conditions in the hold are, at best, a gigantic mess.
Maybe some one stole all the cars? Aliens?/s
She's displacing about 15 to 20 percent volume in that photo. I don't think they were adjusting the ballast they must have pumped it all out.
I'll bet a bunch of people had to change pants after they were picked up. First they said it, then they did it.
The new poster child for 'Is it Friday yet?'.
I'm tired of the kitten hanging from the tree limb.
The law of salvage is one of the oldest laws in the world. If you can get on the ship, right it, and get it back to port, it's yours.
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