Container ships Safmarine Meru and the Northern Jasper have been involved in a collision off Ningbo Port in China.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning, the 8th May. The collision caused major damage to the Safmarine Meru with a fire breaking out shortly after the accident. All twenty two crew members abandoned ship and remain safe. The Safmarine Meru can carry 4650 twenty foot containers, but at the time it was luckily only loaded with less than 400 containers.
Photos on-line show that the Safmarine Meru was apparently the loser out of this incident:
Pictures show the severity of the fire on board the Safmarine Meru along with the crew members being taken into awaiting ambulances.
“We are very relieved that our crew are safe and have not suffered any serious injuries. The safety of our people, at sea and on shore, is paramount to us,” says Palle Brodsgaard Laursen, Head of Ship Management in Maersk Line.
It is believed that Maersk are now arranging for the fire-scorched Safmarine Meru to be towed to Ningbo. The ship is without power and has taken on some water but it is believed that the vessel is stable enough to be towed.
Crew members from the Northern Jasper remained on board the vessel following the accident but were transferred to shore. They were offered medical support along with crisis counseling.
Very little information or pictures are on line advising of the condition of the Northern Jasper with more emphasis on the Safmarine Meru. Surely the Safmarine Meru isn’t the only one looking like it’s gone three rounds with Mike Tyson.
Here’s a picture of the Northern Jasper in better circumstances:
Credit: Fleetmon.com
Chinese authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Source credit: gcaptain.com
