Maybulk vessel evacuated en route to China Saturday, 18 July 2015

by **Cals** Sun 19 Jul 2015, 18:16

Maybulk vessel evacuated en route to China

Saturday, 18 July 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: The crew of a Malaysian Bulk Carriers Bhd (Maybuk) was evacuated on Friday after it experienced severe listing whilst at sea en route to Lianyungang, China from the Philippines.
Maybulk said on Saturday the m.v. Alam Manis, a 55,652 dwt bulk carrier with 53,795 tonnes of bulk nickel ore experienced heavy weather conditions and adverse swell, south east of Taiwan.
“A decision was made on Friday to evacuate the vessel in the interests of the safety of the crew. However despite all safety measures and precautions, one fatality occurred,” said the company.
To recap, the Alam Manis, which was built in 2007, had departed Loreto Dinagat, Philippines with 21 Filipino crew members at 6.48pm on Sunday, July 12, after loading the bulk nickel ore.
However, due to the heavy weather conditions and adverse swell, the cargo in holds No 1 & 2 shifted resulting in the vessel listing by 14 degrees starboard.
Four days later on Wednesday at 5.55am, the vessel informed Maybulk of the list which had developed at 5.40am while it was approximately 225 nautical miles south east of Taiwan.
The vessel was instructed to proceed to the nearest port of refuge under advice from maritime weather routing services provider Applied Weather Technology.
A salvage tug Salviscount, was immediately despatched to assist the vessel and it rendezvous with Alam Manis at 1.20am on Thursday. Escorted by the Salviscount, the vessel then proceeded towards San Fernando in north Luzon.
However, on Friday at approximately 2.55pm, the listing worsened to 20 degrees starboard and at 5.05pm, in the interest of the safety of the crew, a decision was made to evacuate ship. With the assistance of the Salviscount, all 21 crew have been accounted for, but there was one casualty.
Maybulk said its personnel, who was immediately despatched to San Fernando following the initial reports of the vessel listing, was present to provide assistance on site.
“Arrangements are being made to stabilise the vessel and discharge cargo before towing it to a repair yard,” it said.
Maybulk CEO Kuok Khoon Kuan said the company was deeply saddened that one of the colleagues onboard the Alam Manis has lost his life during an emergency situation on the ship.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones and are providing immediate assistance to the family following such a terrible loss. We are relieved that all others on board are now safe,” he said.
Maybulk said it would will undertake an internal investigation and cooperate fully with the authorities investigating this tragic incident.