Tanker Pierces Bow after Hitting Sailboats off Maine

Shipspotting Panama-flagged tanker Chem Venus allided with three moored sailboats on June 29 at the mouth of the Piscataqua River near Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine, the US Coast Guard said.  The USCG boarded the Chem Venus and determined that the 2004-built vessel sustained damage to its bow, causing the tanker to take on water. The rate of flooding was stabilized and is being monitored by the coast guard and the ships crew. The 19,887 dwt Chem Venus was carrying a load of used vegetable oil and a variety of other industrial chemicals. However, no pollution has been reported, according to the USCG. The Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team has been engaged to conduct a vessel stability assessment. In addition, divers are expected to conduct a survey of the damage. The cause of the allision is under investigation, the coast guard said. Image Courtesy: Shipspotting