Vicuña
On
15 November 2004, two loud explosions occurred aboard the Chilean
chemical tanker the Vicuña, during unloading of the cargo
of 14,000 tonnes of methanol, in the Brazilian port of Paranaguá.
Two crew members were killed in the accident and two others reported
missing.
The
vessel broke in two and spilled approximately 400 tonnes of bunker fuel oil. The pollution affected a sensitive region (mangrove swamps
and beaches) where fishing and tourism were important economic industries.
The wreck of the Vicuña was surrounded with antipollution
booms12 hours after the accident, to stop the pollution spreading.
Fishing and the sale of aquacultural produce were banned in the
bay until the contamination risks had disappeared. Dolphins, turtles and birds were affected by the pollution.
The wreck was lightered over a number of weeks following the accident.
On 8 December, the company Smit Salvage was given the task of carrying
out operations to remove the wreck. Work began on the 15 January
2005.
Name: Vicuña
Date: 15 November 2004
Location: Brazil
Accident area: port of Paranaguá
Cause of spill: explosion
Product transported: 14,000 tonnes of methanol
Type of pollutant: bunker fuel oil
Quantity spilled: 400 tonnes of bunker fuel oil
Ship type: chemical tanker
Date built: 1983
Length: 149 m
Flag: Chilean
See also
Links
Last update: April 2006