Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ship tracks closer to Aleutians
Anchorage Daily News ^ | July 29, 2006 | RACHEL D'ORO

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Japan; News/Current Events; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: aleutians; cougarace; salvage; tugs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last
The sea state is relatively flat and it doesn't seem to be settling.

How about this one. That's the crew in their orange survival suits.

The chart of the drift:


1 posted on 07/29/2006 12:47:49 PM PDT by skeptoid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

They said a ballast imbalance caused the problem. They were adjusting the ballast tanks at the time.


2 posted on 07/29/2006 12:50:09 PM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the law of the excluded middle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid
Salvage tugs head for Cougar Ace as it is blown into U.S. waters.


3 posted on 07/29/2006 12:51:01 PM PDT by atomic_dog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

finder's keepers right?


4 posted on 07/29/2006 12:51:34 PM PDT by Nihil Obstat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

Is the captain of the vessel on board, or is she free for salvage by the first boat there?


5 posted on 07/29/2006 12:51:37 PM PDT by Panzerlied ("We shall never surrender!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

With millions of dollars worth of cars...er car parts aboard, why can't this wreck be towed somewhere for salvage of the cargo?


6 posted on 07/29/2006 12:52:16 PM PDT by downtownconservative (Murtha is truly an EX-Marine...his motto, "nunquam fidelis")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

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.


7 posted on 07/29/2006 1:00:40 PM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

do we need a Save the Cars campaign?


8 posted on 07/29/2006 1:01:24 PM PDT by GeronL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raybbr


9 posted on 07/29/2006 1:04:43 PM PDT by AntiGuv ("..I do things for political expediency.." - Sen. John McCain on FOX News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: raybbr
Very strange.
10 posted on 07/29/2006 1:09:54 PM PDT by oxcart (Journalism [Sic])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: AntiGuv

Yes, sitting really high in the water almost like a floating basketball.


11 posted on 07/29/2006 1:11:43 PM PDT by headstamp (Nothing lasts forever, Unless it does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: oxcart

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.


12 posted on 07/29/2006 1:15:52 PM PDT by magslinger (Without Freedom, Utopia isn't paradise after all. It's just hell in a fancy prom dress. Steven James)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: oxcart

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.......


13 posted on 07/29/2006 1:22:40 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Global warming has forced me to buy glacier front property in Alaska....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: magslinger

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.


14 posted on 07/29/2006 1:22:46 PM PDT by oxcart (Journalism [Sic])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco

Maybe some one stole all the cars? Aliens?/s


15 posted on 07/29/2006 1:25:57 PM PDT by oxcart (Journalism [Sic])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: oxcart

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.


16 posted on 07/29/2006 1:28:17 PM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: AntiGuv

I'll bet a bunch of people had to change pants after they were picked up. First they said it, then they did it.


17 posted on 07/29/2006 1:29:28 PM PDT by Richard Kimball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

More info;

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1674149/posts


18 posted on 07/29/2006 1:31:21 PM PDT by oxcart (Journalism [Sic])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

The new poster child for 'Is it Friday yet?'.
I'm tired of the kitten hanging from the tree limb.


19 posted on 07/29/2006 1:45:52 PM PDT by Mrs. Shawnlaw (No NAIS! And the USDA can bugger off, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nihil Obstat
finder's keepers right?

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.

20 posted on 07/29/2006 1:51:55 PM PDT by Zeroisanumber (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson