Co-op Venture
On 25 July 2002, due to a typhoon the Panamanian cargo vessel Co-op Venture, transporting a cargo of corn, ran aground in Shibushi Bay, 1.6 km off Osaki (Japan). During this accident, the ship sustained a split hull and has been stranded ever since.
The bunker fuel oil dispersion was promoted by rough conditions but a few hours after the grounding, containment devices were set up. Clean-up operations were rapidly planned and they took place on the Japanese coastline from 30 July to 1 August with 550 persons.
Pumping operations were performed effectively from 4 to 15 August and 70 % of the bunker fuel was recovered. Hydrogen sulphide emanations resulting from the corn decomposition caused the death of 4 people. Until 27 December, the remains of the Co-op Venture were salvaged with a crane ship.
Salvaging the Co-op Venture remains with a crane ship
(source: Japan Coast Guard)
Sources:
- MAMACA Emina, GIRIN Michel, LE FLOCH Stéphane and EL ZIR Rawad, 2009, Review of chemical spills at sea and lessons learnt, Interspill conference 2009
- OMI, 2005, Casualty statistics and investigations - Very serious and serious casualties for the year 2002
- Japan Coast Guard, 2002, Response to Co-op Venture incident
- Acusafe
Name: Co-op Venture
Date: 25 July 2002
Location: Japan
Accident area : Shibushi Bay, 1.6 km off Osaki
Cause of spill : grounding
Quantity transported : 958 m3
Type of pollutants : bunker fuel and corn
Quantity spilled : 958 m3
Ship type : cargo vessel
Date built : 1990
Shipyard : Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Japan
Length : 224 m
Width : 18 m
Flag: Panamanian
Owner : Southern Pacific Co., Ltd., USA
Manager : Tshudi and Eitzen Ship Management PTE, Ltd., Singapore
Last update: September 2009