MAERSK SEARCHER

scrapped

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Maersk accepted fine for violating Danish legislation

Maersk Supply Service has accepted a fine of 150,000 Danish crowns for violating Danish legislation on safety at sea in connection with the company's failed twin towing of the 'Maersk Searcher' and 'Maersk Shipper' in December 2016. The unmanned vessels sank 60 nautical miles off the French coast when they were under twin tow by the 'Maersk Battler' towards Turkey to be scrapped. They sank due to the damage they had sustained by chopping against each other in the harsh weather. In 2017, the AIBN concluded, among other things, that the accident was a consequence of insufficient risk assessment on the part of the shipping company, and it was subsequently the Danish Maritime Authority that reported Maersk Supply to the police for violating the legislation on maritime safety. In the Accident Report, which led to the police report, it was stated, among other things, that Maersk Suppy Service - chose a controversial towing method - used old and too small fenders (between Maersk Searcher and Maersk Shipper) - did not react when the fenders were dropped in the English Channel or when the French authorities received reports of damage to the ships in tow, - did not respond to changes in the weather. In February 2017, Maersk Supply Service entered into an agreement with the French authorities to empty the fuel tanks on the sunken vessels and subsequently check the ships and the marine environment within a radius of 50 meters around the ships twice a year for three years. No contamination was found during these checks, Maersk Supply Service informs.

Wrecks contain 192 cubic meters oil

The wrecks of the "Maersk Shipper" and "Maersk Searcher" were containing 192 m3 of various types of oil when they sank according to the ship's Green Passport, which was also shared with the French authorities in connection with the sinking. Maersk Supply Services (MSS) has subsequently inspected the wrecks in cooperation with the French authorities. The tanks may need to be emptied if circumstances demanded it.

Maersk Supply Service asked to carry out additional measures to protect marine environment

On Mar 1, 2017, the Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic, by way of a formal notice, asked the Maersk Supply Service, the owner of the "Maersk Searcher" and "Maersk Shipper" to take additional measures to analyze and investigate the contents of certain tanks and to monitor the two ships and the surrounding marine environment for the next three years. Depending on the results, the vessel owner may be required to pump these tanks. Before 1 August 2017, samples will have to be taken to analyze the contents of the M24 and M25 tanks of the "Maersk Searcher" in order to determine the presence of hydrocarbons, ballast water and sediments. Two other tanks of the "Maersk Searcher" and five more aboard the "Maersk Shipper" have to be investigated to determine the nature and quantity of hydrocarbons they may contain and may pose a threat to the environment. An assessment of the state of the surrounding marine environment within a radius of 50 m around the two wrecks will have to be conducted for a period of three years, one evaluation per semester. Underwater investigations on the condition of wrecks, identical to those carried out following the formal notice of Jan 4 2017, will have to be carried out during the summer periods 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition, the Maritime Maritime Prefecture will continue to monitor the area of ​​the wrecks regularly by the state means.