Sitakund
On 20 October 1968, the tanker the Sitakund was sailing from Wilhemshaven to Libya, when three explosions were heard. One caused an enormous hole in the side of the vessel. The Sitakund burst into flames. Three crew members died in the incident. The other 31 escaped and were sent to hospital for treatment of their burns. The tug the Meeching was sent on site for rescue operations. The Sitakund had ran aground and the tug freed her. She was then beached on 21 October less than 2 km from Beachy Head. The Eastbourne Fire Brigade, the crew of the Meeching and that of another tug from Dover fought the fire. However there was another explosion during the night. It was then decided to leave the vessel to burn out. The insurers of the ship declared her a constructive total loss. She was sent to Spain for scrapping.
Sources:
- HOOKE, Norman, 1997, Maritime Casualties 1963-1996, second edition, LLP Limited, London
- IFP, Banques de données sur les accidents de navire ayant provoqué un déversement de pétrole en mer supérieur à 500 tonnes, 1955-1969, Réf. 26 693, Janvier 1979
Name: Sitakund
Date: 20 October 1968
Location: Channel
Accident area: Beachy Head, near Eastbourne
Cause of spill: fire
Type of pollutant: bunker fuel oil
Quantity spilled: 500 tonnes
Ship type: oil tanker
Date built: 1951
Shipyard: Eriksbergs MV AB, Gothenburgh
Length: 184.46 m
Width: 23.53 m
Draught: 13 m
Flag: Norwegian
Owner: Tschudi & Eitzen
Last update: April 2006