A breached cargo tank of the Maersk Navigator supertanker, involved in a Jan. 20 collision with another tanker off Northwest Sumatra, was sealed about noon Jan. 29.
"Outflow of oil from the vessel has ceased," reported owner/operator A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd. "Remaining pollution will be dealt with by spraying dispersants.
The final aerial survey of the vessel took place the morning of Jan. 30 when the vessel was being towed southwest, accompanied by salvage tugs.
Although transfer of the cargo had not taken place over the weekend as proposed, a spokesman said loading was imminent, and would be into a sister ship of the Navigator.
Maersk Navigator was carrying 1.65 million bbl of crude oil when it collided with the empty Japanese tanker Sanko Honor.
No figures for oil spillage have been issued, but Moller's estimate of oil leaking at about 400 bbl/hr would place the total at about 100,000 bbl. Much of it was burned off (OGJ, Feb. 1, p. 17).
The survey pilot reported Jan. 30 the leak from the casualty had been stopped. The vessel left an oil sheen training astern. This broke up within 11/2 miles and dissipated within 2 miles.
Remnants of the last crude leaked before the tank was patched began 25 miles north of the vessel. Moller said a slick ran 20 miles northwest as a band of colorless sheen about 5 miles wide, with isolated windows of irridescent sheen. "This remaining oil is expected to dissipate completely within the next 24 hr or so," Moller said. "In view of this, no further flights are necessary."
Copyright 1993 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
