The 18,000 dwt general cargo ship Damgracht was inbound from Italy transporting a cargo of cement. The 13- year-old vessel sailing under the flag of the Netherlands had been authorized to move from the anchorage where she had been for several days into the port. During the inbound maneuver, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson reports that an engine alarm sounded on the vessel, and the engine shutdown causing a loss of steering.
Outbound from Port Arthur was the 38,700 dwt bunker AP Revelin. The bulker registered in Croatia had loaded a cargo of wood chips and was departing for the Immingham port in Great Britain.
Caught in the confines of the shipping channel the two vessels collided. The Coast Guard reports the bow of the Damgracht came in contact with the port quarter of the AP Revelin. The bow of the cargo ship suffered significant damage and the vessel took on water, although the Coast Guard reports her pumps have been able to handle the water.
Detailed explanation of the incident :
POTENTIAL RELEASE REPORT
CALLER REPORTS A VESSEL (NAME: DAMGRACHT) IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE LOST STEERING CAPABILITIES, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VESSEL (NAME: AP REVELIN). THE FRESH WATER TANK ON THE PORT SIDE OF THE AP REVELIN WAS DAMAGED IN THIS INCIDENT. THE OTHER VESSEL DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE VISIBLE DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO SHEEN OR RELEASE REPORTED AT THIS TIME. AP REVELIN IS A BULK CARRIER CARRYING PALLET BOARDS. TYPE AND QUANTITY OF FUEL ON THE VESSELS WAS NOT REPORTED.