ANGRA STAR

scrapped

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Salvage of half submerged vessel completed

In the afternoon of Sep 27 the stabilization of the "Angra Star" in Guanabary bay was finished. The salvage operation was estimated to cost more than $ 3 million. The operation required 60 men and of suction pumps running 24 hours a day plus hundreds of meters of containment and absorption barriers for the transfer and collection of oil. The Secretary of State for the Environment (SEA) and INEA supported the bailout. 150 tons of oily water and six tons of salt water inside the vessel were removed. The Frota Oceânica e Amazônica S/A, the bankrupt owner of the ship, was notified by the Port Authority and the Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (INEA) to comply with environmental laws and standards of maritime traffic and ensure the safety of the vessel and protection of the ecosystem of the bay. In case of default, the company will receive a daily fine which can reach $ 4 million and a fine upto $ 50 million in case of a loss of the vessel which was without a Crew since February. Since then, oil barrels were looted and navigational instruments damaged. The Frota Oceânica and Amazônica S/A has three more ships in Guanabara Bay, the "Rio", "Recife" and "Jari", all in a similar situation of abandonment because of a dispute between the owner and the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento (BNDES). After an inspection of the "Rio", which is stranded, the Port Authority found that the vessel did not present an imminent risk of sinking. The "Jari" and "Recife" were moored without risk of accidents. Portuguese report with photo: http://www.ebc.com.br/noticias/brasil/2013/09/concluida-operacao-para-desencalhar-navio-na-baia-de-guanabara

Fuel from derelict vessel to be drained

On Sep 18 the captain of the Brazilian Ports and Environmental Authorities announced that the fuel inside the "Angra Star" would be drained after the vessel partially sank in the Bay of Guanabara, off the port of Rio de Janeiro. Later the derelict vessel was to be refloated. Draining the fuel would, however, be taking some days. The ship had been moored off the port left unattended without safety guard board, allowing thieves to remove copper caps in the engine room, so that the tanks filled with water. The owner company Frota Oceânica e Amazônica S/A was notified by the authorities but did not take steps to prevent fuel spillage or to refloat the ship. On Sep 17 booms were placed around the vessel to prevent an oil spill. It was estimated that there were 150 tons of oil-water-mix inside the vessel. Moreover, there was a sealed tank with a storage capacity of 90 tons of oil. Transpetro, the Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (Inea), and Camorim Serviços Marítimos were working on a wreck removal plan. Spanish reports with photos: http://www.tvkinc.com/2013/09/18/retiraran-el-combustible-de-un-barco-encallado-en-rio-de-janeiro/ http://www.brasil247.com/pt/247/rio247/115428/Encalhado-Angra-Star-pode-render-multa-de-R$-50-milh%C3%B5es.htm http://noticias.terra.com.br/brasil/capitania-inicia-os-procedimentos-para-a-remocao-de-navio-encalhado-no-rio,e4a1d717c9c21410VgnCLD2000000ec6eb0aRCRD.html http://noticias.band.uol.com.br/cidades/rio/noticia/100000631935/angra-star-multa-podera-chegar-ate-a-r-50-milhoes.html http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/vidae,inea-inicia-retirada-de-oleo-de-navio-naufragado,1076606,0.htm

Sinking in Rio de Janeiro

General cargo vessel Angra Star, abandoned by the owner in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, started to sink on Sep 17 or 18 2013, after staying on anchor unmanned for many months. According to AIS, vessel is staying at anchor since Feb 10 12. Local media reports that the owner of the vessel has gone bankrupt, 21 vessels of the company FROTA OCEANICA E AMAZONICA S.A. are anchored in Guanabara area. Rescue found some 200 tons of fuel on board. Vessel is sinking by stern, as it can be seen on photos. Police believe looters could add up to vessel’s woes by stealing nonferrous parts from engine room. Authorities said vessel will be rescued, but it won’t guarantee vessel’s safety further on.