MV New Flame

{{Infobox ship image

| Ship image = New flame sinking.JPG

| Ship caption = New Flame sinking off Europa Point, 13 August 2007

}}

{{Infobox ship career

| Hide header =

| Ship country = Panama

| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Panama}}

| Ship name = New Flame (previously Aditya Gautam and Skaustrand)

| Ship owner = Transmar (previously Textiles & Industries Ltd)

| Ship operator =

| Ship registry = Panama

| Ship route =

| Ship ordered =

| Ship builder = Daewoo H.I, South Korea

| Ship original cost =

| Ship yard number =

| Ship way number =

| Ship laid down =

| Ship launched = 26 March 1994

| Ship christened =

| Ship completed = June 1994

| Ship acquired =

| Ship maiden voyage =

| Ship in service =

| Ship out of service =

| Ship identification = *{{IMO|9077393}}

| Ship fate = Sank off Gibraltar in 2007

| Ship notes =

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption =

| Ship type = Bulk carrier

| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|27,000}}

{{DWT|44,000}}

| Ship displacement =

| Ship length = {{convert|190|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship beam = {{convert|30|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship height = {{convert|28|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship draught =

| Ship draft = {{convert|59.1|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship depth =

| Ship decks =

| Ship deck clearance =

| Ship ramps =

| Ship ice class =

| Ship power =

| Ship propulsion =

| Ship sail plan =

| Ship speed =

| Ship capacity =

| Ship crew =

| Ship notes =

}}

MV New Flame was a Panamanian bulk-carrier cargo ship. It collided with an oil tanker off Europa Point, the southernmost tip of Gibraltar on 12 August 2007, and ended up partially submerged in the Strait of Gibraltar. The vessel broke into two in December 2007 amid numerous unsuccessful recovery efforts. The cargo was salvaged and the stern section removed for scrap. Following the crew's rescue, the captain was arrested for having departed without authorisation. Charges of endangering shipping were later dropped.

Ship description

New Flame measured {{convert|190|m|ft}} long, {{convert|30|m|ft}} wide and {{convert|28|m|ft}} tall, of which {{convert|16|m|ft}} were under the water line. It measured {{GT|26,824}} and had a capacity of nearly {{DWT|44,000|metric|disp=long}}. At time of the incident it had a crew of 23 and it was owned by Transmar, a Greek shipping company. The ship was built in June 1994 by Daewoo H.I, South Korea and first named as Skaustrand. From 1995 it was named Aditya Gautam and was owned by the Indian company Century Textiles & Industries Ltd, who sold it in 2005 to Transmar for $22.5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.transmar.gr/en/thecompany.htm |title=The company |publisher=Transmar Shipping Co S.A |access-date=2007-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717021304/http://www.transmar.gr/en/thecompany.htm |archive-date=July 17, 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=473261|title=New Flame. Seen here in New York, USA. July, 2007|publisher=Shipspotting.com|access-date=2007-08-22}}

Collision

In the early morning of 12 August 2007, New Flame departed from Europa Point en route to Turkey, carrying 27,000 tons of scrap metal and 750 tons of fuel oil. About one kilometre south of Europa Point, it ran into the stern of Torm Gertrude,{{cite press release|title=177/2007, Collision between vessels 'New Flame' and 'Torm Gertrude'|publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release|date=2007-08-13|url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/177-2007.pdf|access-date=2008-01-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124152430/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/177-2007.pdf|archive-date=2007-11-24}} a double-hulled Danish petroleum tanker that was scheduled to complete a personnel transfer in the Spanish port of Algeciras.{{cite press release

|title=New Flame Final Report

|publisher=Gibraltar Maritime Administration

|date=2009-02-04

|url=http://www.gibmaritime.com/modules/downloadFile.php?fileID=128

|access-date=2009-02-15

|format=PDF

|url-status=usurped

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312091134/http://www.gibmaritime.com/modules/downloadFile.php?fileID=128

|archive-date=2013-03-12

}} The tanker proceeded towards Algeciras after the collision, where it was secured, with its cargo of 39,000 tons of fuel, whilst New Flame took water by the bow. The ship was abandoned by the crew and thereafter became partially submerged, drifted and eventually ran aground nearby.

Recovery efforts

File:MV New Flame salvage.jpg

The rescue response at the working level of Gibraltar was commended,{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1674|title=New Flame Collision - Port lookout and the need to ensure the compatibility of uses of the sea|publisher=Gibfocus|access-date=2008-01-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004610/http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1674 |archive-date =2007-09-28}} although there was considerable criticism at a local level in Spain, due to the dispute between Spain and Gibraltar.

Removal of the vessel’s fuel was initiated on 15 August with the arrival of the tug Hua-An, later joined by the tug Fotiy Krylov (one of the largest of the world).{{cite press release|title=180/2007, First Phase Salvage |date=2007-08-14 |url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release |access-date=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124153206/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |archive-date=2007-11-24 }} It was the first priority of the salvage operation to minimise the environmental impact of the collision, followed by operations to refloat the ship.{{cite press release|title=179/2007, Govt - Salvage Plan |date=2007-08-13 |access-date=2008-01-08 |url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124153206/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |archive-date=2007-11-24 }} On 20 August the salvage operation turned to the controlled break-up of the ship in two halves{{cite press release|title=188/2007, Salvage Operation - MV 'New Flame' |date=2007-08-21 |access-date=2008-01-08 |url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124153206/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/188-2007.pdf |archive-date=2007-11-24 }}{{cite web|title=Temen que el barco encallado en Algeciras pueda partirse en dos |access-date=2007-08-24 |url=http://es.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-08-1T114509Z_01_ROD142128_RTRIDST_0_OESTP-ESPANA-BARCO-GIBRALTAR.XML&archived=False |language=es |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-08-21 }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and the first reports of a 'minor' oil-spill were reported. It was reported that 500 tons of fuel remained on board.{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/22/europe/EU-GEN-Spain-Gibraltar-Ship.php|title=Ship carrying 27,000 tons of scrap about to split in two off Gibraltar: officials|access-date=2008-01-08|date=22 August 2007|publisher=International Herald Tribune}} The tug Fotiy Krylov had attempted to move the ship and divers checked the damage, concluding that the ship's structural integrity was sound enough for the removal of fuel to continue. By 24 August, it looked likely that the ship would be refloated, even if only partially to then tow to a safer location.{{cite press release|title=189/2007, Salvage Operation 'New Flame' Update 1|date=2007-08-22|access-date=2008-01-08|url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/189-2007.pdf|publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124152229/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/189-2007.pdf|archive-date=2007-11-24}}

The salvage companies involved were Tsavliris (based in Greece) and Svitzer Wijsmuller Salvage (Dutch subcontractors). On 14 September 2007, the Government of Gibraltar announced that all fuel had been removed from the vessel, totalling 780 cubic metres.{{cite press release|title=206/2007, MV 'New Flame' |date=2007-09-14 |access-date=2008-01-08 |url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/206-2007.pdf |publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124152248/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/206-2007.pdf |archive-date=2007-11-24 }} The operation had been hampered by bad weather and the exposed location of the wreck. It was also reported that the ship would not be salvaged in a single piece due to structural damage and would be instead cut in two parts at one-third of its length from the bow. The stern section would be removed first and towed to a safe area, where it would have its cargo removed and then be taken to dry dock in Gibraltar. On completion, the bow part would have been taken apart where it rested.

The operation was scheduled to start in October 2007 with the removal of the stern in November and the bow as late as March 2008. However, the salvage company experienced technical difficulties in cutting up the vessel.{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=2075 |title=Troubled waters over New Flame salvage operation |access-date=2008-01-08 |date=2 December 2007 |publisher=Gibfocus }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Following heavily prolonged bad weather, the vessel broke into two on 22 December 2007, prompting an emergency meeting by the Government of Gibraltar with maritime authorities.{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=2118 |title=New Flame's stern breaks up and begins to sink |access-date=2008-01-08 |date=22 December 2007 |publisher=Gibfocus }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On 28 December 2007, the vessel's insurers placed the salvage operation in the hands of Titan Maritime, one of the world's largest marine salvage companies. New Flame avoided becoming a local shipwreck when in August 2008, the stern section was lifted and taken to the ship repair yard.[http://www.gibnews.net/cgi-bin/gn_view.pl/?GPIX080806_1.xml New Flame finally out]

The salvage operation of New Flame featured on "Salvage Code Red" on the National Geographic Channel on 16 February 2009.

Political impact

Following the collision, there were concerns raised that such incidents in the area were commonplace, with local politicians on both Gibraltar and Spanish sides calling for a review of procedures.{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1674|title=Concerns from opposition party in Gib|access-date=2007-08-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004610/http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1674 |archive-date =2007-09-28}}{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.gi/localnews/headlines.php?action=view_article&article=2513&offset=0|title=Spanish local politicians call for talks and issues under Spanish premise|access-date=2007-08-28}}{{cite web|title=European Parliament: One-minute speeches on matters of political importance|url=http://www.emsa.europa.eu/ennews20070903101748.htmlhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20070903+ITEM-015+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=1-025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104029/http://www.emsa.europa.eu/ennews20070903101748.htmlhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2F%2FEP%2F%2FTEXT+CRE+20070903+ITEM-015+DOC+XML+V0%2F%2FEN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=1-025|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-04|date=2007-09-03|access-date=2007-09-05|language=es}} On 21 August the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (Salvamento Maritimo) announced that it had put in place its anti-pollution alert program. This involved the deployment of the ship Don Inda, based in Galicia, which arrived at Algeciras on 14 August.{{cite press release|title=Spanish readiness for possible-oil spill|publisher=Salvamento Maritimo|date=2007-08-21|access-date=2008-01-08|url=http://www.salvamentomaritimo.es/!repositorio/Image/root/21.08.07%20Nota%20Algeciras.pdf|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227134306/http://www.salvamentomaritimo.es/!repositorio/Image/root/21.08.07%20Nota%20Algeciras.pdf|archive-date=2008-02-27|url-status=dead}} On 31 August the European Maritime Safety Agency announced that, at the request of the Spanish administration the ship Mistra Bay, which specialised in the treatment of pollution, would be sent to the area.{{cite web|title=Europe sends anti-pollution ship to the "New Flame" incident area at Spain's request |language=es|url=http://www.diariodemallorca.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=1639_6_289334__NACIONAL-Agencia-Europea-enviara-buque-anticontaminacion-peticion-caso-Flame|access-date=2008-01-08}}

{{cite press release|title=Spain requests EMSA assistance after ship accident off Gibraltar|publisher=European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)|date=2007-08-31|url=http://www.emsa.europa.eu/ennews20070903101748.html|access-date=2007-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224162649/http://www.emsa.europa.eu/ennews20070903101748.html|archive-date=2007-12-24}}{{cite press release|title=Spain requests EMSA assistance after ship accident off Gibraltar|publisher=European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)|date=3 September 2007|url=http://www.emsa.europa.eu/Docs/press_releases/pr20070931.pdf|access-date=2007-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227134306/http://www.emsa.europa.eu/Docs/press_releases/pr20070931.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2008}}

Following continued media speculation and accusations in Spain, the Government of Gibraltar announced it would make no further public comment, except to say that "this salvage operation has taken place more quickly than comparable salvage operations elsewhere in the world."[http://www.gibnews.net/cgi-bin/gn_view.pl/?GOGX080402_1.xml information given publicly in good faith has abused]

Legal issues

The captain, Demetrio Konstantinos, a Greek national, was arrested and later released on bail.{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1660|title=Captain arrested|publisher=Gibfocus|date=13 August 2007|access-date=2007-08-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004554/http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1660 |archive-date =2007-09-28}} He faced safety charges that New Flame may have left the Port of Gibraltar without authorisation. Subsequently Konstantinos pleaded guilty to leaving port without proper notification and paid a small fine, but charges of endangering shipping were dropped.{{Cite web | url=http://www.webmar.com/archives/1915 | title=New Flame | access-date=2024-06-21 | website=www.webmar.com}}

Notes

References

{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1669|title=Calls from ecologist groups|access-date=2007-08-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004627/http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1669 |archive-date =2007-09-28}}
{{cite web|title=Restating concerns|url=http://www.panorama.gi/localnews/headlines.php?action=view_article&article=2493&offset=0

|access-date=2007-08-28}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1685|title=More than token help from Spain, concerns on Gib's readiness|access-date=2007-08-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004602/http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1685 |archive-date =2007-09-28}}
{{cite web|title=Double hulled petrol tanker |url=http://theresident.eu/news/the_news/andalucia/another_collision_in_the_strait_of_gibraltar_20070820_219.html |access-date=2007-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920211151/http://theresident.eu/news/the_news/andalucia/another_collision_in_the_strait_of_gibraltar_20070820_219.html |archive-date=2007-09-20 |url-status=dead }}
{{cite web|title=500 tons of fuel left|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/22/europe/EU-GEN-Spain-Gibraltar-Ship.php|access-date=2007-08-28}}
{{cite web|title=1st reports and more information on the ships|url=http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/gobierno_algeciras_garantiza_ha_producido_1776512.htm|access-date=2007-08-28

|language=es}}

{{cite web|title=List of other incidents in the area|date=13 August 2007 |url=http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/20070813/pvasco-espana/choque-carguero-petrolero-vuelve-20070813.html|access-date=2007-08-28

|language=es}}

{{cite web|title=Concerns over similarities with Sierra Nava and Don Pedro|url=http://www.emartv.com/cont/7923?nid=46|access-date=2007-08-28|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710185057/http://www.emartv.com/cont/7923?nid=46|archive-date=2011-07-10}}
{{cite web|title=WWF/Adena expresses concern |url=http://www.discapnet.es/Discapnet/Castellano/Actualidad/Nueva_Hemeroteca/detalle?id=150744 |access-date=2007-08-28 |language=es }}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

External links

{{cite web|title = Pictures and discussion (Spanish) of events|url = http://www.fotosdebarcos.com/viewtopic.php?t=11494|language = es

}}

{{cite web|title = Pictures and commentary (in English) soon after the collision and once salvage underway| date=24 December 2007 |url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/andresv/tags/newflame/}}
{{cite press release|title=206/2007, Salvage Operation 'New Flame' Attachment (Salvage diagrams)|date=2007-09-14|url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/206-2007-attachment.pdf|publisher=Government of Gibraltar Press Release|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124152211/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/206-2007-attachment.pdf|archive-date=2007-11-24}}
{{cite web|title = New Flame - Gibraltar, agosto de 2007|url = http://coordination-maree-noire.eu/spip.php?rubrique507}}
[http://www.titansalvage.com/ Titan Marine Salvage]

{{coord|36|06|06|N|5|20|45|W|region:GI_type:event|display=title}}

Category:Maritime incidents in 2007

Category:2007 in Spain

Category:2007 in Gibraltar

Category:Shipwrecks of Gibraltar

Category:1994 ships

Category:Ships built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

Category:Ships sunk in collisions