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ILU Reports On 1994 Ship Casualties To Third Quarter Smit Tak Removes Casualties la Brazil, ladia The removal of the R/gefs wreck had been unsuccessfully attempted before, but Smit Tak completed the difficult removal before the wreck could prove an obstacle to the bulk carrier Berge Stahl, which calls the port where the Rigel went down. Smit Tak salvage experts have successfully completed a difficult wreck removal operation in the vi- cinity of the important iron ore ex- port terminal at Sao Luis, northern Brazil. A harbor tug, the Rigel, sank in the Fairway. The tug had been assisting a Polish bulk carrier on November 6, 1994 when the inci- dent occurred. The tug — just 18 months old — went down in an area noted for its fierce current and con- stant bottom movement. There was concern that the wreck of the Rigel could eventually block the approach to the iron ore termi- nal. This facility is used by the 365,000 dwt Berge Stahl — report- edly the world's largest bulk carrier — which calls at Sao Luis to load iron ore for Europe. The 1,200-ton capacity sheerlegs Taklift 6, mobilized from the Gulf of Mexico, performed the wreck re- moval on behalf of the tug owners Sobrare Servemar and the Brazilian Salvage Association. The wreck was lifted bodily from a 131-ft. (40-m) water depth on September 21, fol- lowing diving work and prepara- tions assisted by local company O'Marinheiro. Smit Tak Manager Geert Koffeman said: "This was a chal- lenging wreck removal due to the adverse conditions on the site... The current runs at up to six knots. The best you can hope for is three knots on a dead tide. There are just two diving hours a day — one hour at each slack water." (Continued on page 49) Fewer ships lost but a significant increase in the total tonnage they represent sums up merchant ship casualty experience during the first nine months of 1994. Statistics compiled by the Insti- tute of London Underwriters (ILU), applying to ships of500 gt and over, show that the nine-month period — and taking into account major casu- alties confirmed as total losses or constructive total losses (CTLs) to end-September — the number of ships lost was 75. But the total tonnage involved — 863,025 gt — continues to show a sharp deterio- ration, confirming the trend seen earlier this year. Some major casualties, or partial losses, could possibly become total losses or CTLs, thereby increasing the total loss figures for the nine months. Releasing the statistics, the ILU commented: "Based on updated fig- ures, 139 ships totaling 889,499 gt became total losses in 1993, a year that brought a distinct improve- ment in loss ratios. It now seems more than probable that total ton- nage lost this year may rise to over 1 million gt, which would equate with 1992 experience and, indeed, could be worse. "However, underwriters will be encouraged by the lower number of ships actually lost. Also, as tonnage lost this year to date mostly consists of older ship types, in value terms 1994 could turn out no worse than 1993 unless there is a major rever- sal in the final quarter." The Estonia Disaster In the third quarter of this year, the Estonia tragedy overshadowed all else. The passenger/RoRo/cargo ferry (21,794 gt, built 1980) cap- sized with the loss of more than 900 lives, although 139 people were res- cued The vessel had an insured value of $48 million, with an addi- tional Increased Value policy of $12 Ships Lost By Type General cargo 30 Oil/chemical tankers 8 Liquid gas carrier 1 Bulk carriers 10 Ore/bulk/oil carrier Fishing/trawling 9 Cement carrier 1 Refrigerated cargo 4 RoRo cargo 2 Passenger/RoRo cargo 5 Livestock carrier 1 Tug/salvage Dredgers, pontoons, etc 2 Total 75 Ships Lost By Flag off Registry Panama 14 Cyprus 9 Malta 5 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 5 Honduras 4 Indonesia China 2 Egypt Turkey million. The largest ship lost was the Turl ish-flag tankerBurak M. (67,521 g built 1976) which sank while in ba last off the West African coast i: September after engine room flood ing. The vessel's insured value wa $15 million. Another high-valu loss, in July, was the Cypriot-flaj bulk carrierForum Chemist (22,912 gt, built 1981), insured for $10 mil lion, which had an engine room fir< while it was in the Mississippi River and was later declared a CTL. A bigger but older Cypriot-flag bulker, the Iron Antonis (48,756 gt built 1968) was a victim of heavj weather on September on a voyage from Tubarao, Brazil to China with a cargo of iron ore. The vessel sank midway between the islands of Tristan da Cunha and St. Helena; the crew of 24 apparently aban- doned ship but no survivors were found. Loss of Life In a year when loss of life at sea was already increasing, the Estonia worsened the figures to a huge and tragic extent. The ILU stated: "Our casualty reports show that 1,240 people were either killed or reported missing as a result of total and partial losses in the January - September period. This includes an estimate of 910 applying to the Estonia. The nine- month total compares with 613 for the whole of 1993 and 386 for 1992." The ILU noted that it is extremely difficult to collate loss of life figures accurately; also, that its statistics apply only to ships of 500 gt and over, thus excluding many small fishing vessels and other craft (such as small ferries). The ILU, which represents the company marine and aviation in- surance market, compiles and pub- lishes marine casualty data on monthly and annual bases. For more information on the report Circle 10 on Reader Service Card South Korea 2 Russian Federation Italy 1 Ukraine Philippines India Nigeria 1 Belize Denmark Chile Pakistan 1 Danish Intl. Register 1 Norway Liberia France 1 Bahamas Romania Mexico Singapore 1 Saudi Arabia Venezuela Ecuador USA 1 Estonia Taiwan Vietnam Total 75 Miller Named President Of Sperry Marine Admiral Paul David Miller, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command, became president of Sperry Marine Inc. of Charlottesville, Va. upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy on Oct. 31, 1994. George A. Sawyer, formerly Sperry Marine president and CEO, remains at Sperry as CEO and vice chair- man of the board. Completing a 30-year Navy career, Adm. Miller has served since July 1992 as com- mander-in-chief of the U.S. Atlantic Com- mand and as supreme allied commander, Atlantic. Recently, Adm. Miller was commended by President Clinton and congressional leaders for his innovative employment of joint military forces, including Army troops and Navy aircraft carriers, now deployed in Haiti. "We are extremely pleased to be gaining an executive of the stature and experience of Admiral Miller," said Mr. Sawyer, a former assistant secretary of the Navy and executive vice president of General Dynamics Corporation. Headquartered in Charlottesville, privately owned Sperry Marine is a world leader in the development and manufacture of marine navigation and control systems. The company maintains sales and service locations throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Adm. Paul David Miller 26D Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
