1. Presented by Capt. Charles Claden, Les Abeilles international NMRI-CEDRE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE SEMINAR Tokyo, 17-18 October 2001 THE SALVAGE ATTEMPT OF THE CHEMICAL TANKER IEVOLI SUN - Preventing a Major Pollution -

2. First Information Monday 30th October, 4h30 Corsen point MRCC informs Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic of distress call from Italian Chemical Tanker Ievoli Sun (4h14) Situated 45 NM North of Batz island (French Brittany), crew of 14 6000 tons of chemical products on board Bound from Fawley (UK) to Bar (Yugoslavia)

3. Réaction immédiate Lundi 30 octobre, 4h30-8h00 The high seas tug Abeille Flandre (Capt. Seiler), pre-positioned at Ushant Island, is sent for assistance A Super Frelon helicopter for the Lanveoc Navy airbase is with evaluation team A risk assessment team is mobilised, for gathering at Maritime Prefecture

4. Further Information Monday 30th October, 5h00-8h00 Captain informs of structural weakness and water inflow in bow compartments of double bottom Requests stern towing and possible crew evacuation Signals fuel leak and possible chemical leaks supposed from bow part. Ship castle safe.

5. Crew Evacuation Monday 30th October, 8h05-9h40 The Super Frelon takes off at 7h15, over ship at 7h58 Situation of vessel is alarming, master requests immediate evacuation Diver is winched on vessel. Lifting crew starts at 8h22 Successful crew and master evacuation is completed at 9h02. Touch down Lanveoc runway at 9h39

6. Crew Evacuation

7. Abeilles Flandre Surveys Ship Monday 30th October, 9h20-10h00 Ievoli Sun reached at 9h20 Ship very low on water, bow submerged by larger waves Lights on, power on board Small slicks pouring from bow part (cargo ?) Impossible to predict whether ship will sink or not. Towing seems technically feasible.

8. Ship condition and Behaviour

9. Gathering Vessel Information Monday 30th October, 8h30-14h00

10. Identification of Cargo Monday 30th October, 8h30-16h00

11. First Information on Cargo risks Monday 30th October, 10h00-18h00 Styrene monomer Vapours heavier than air, eye and lung irritant, liable to produce temporary tainting of seafood (Marpol B) Risk for salvage crew : possible explosion would the ship brake in two, possible neural damage from by vapours

12. First Information on Cargo risks Monday 30th October, 10h00-18h00 Others MEK : vapours heavier that air, very volatile, explosive when mixed with air, almost non toxic to marine life (Marpol III) IPA : very flammable, volatile, almost non toxic to marine life (Marpol III) IFO and Diesel : see Erika experience

13. Databases Information on Products Monday 30th October, 8h30-12h00

14. GESAMP Risk Table Monday 30th October, afternoon Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution Styrene : Bioaccumulable, rather toxic to biological resources, danger for man if breathed or in contact with skin, heavy impact on Environment MEK : No risk on all points except minor impact on Environment IPA : No risk on all points Plus bunkers hazards (IFO and Diesel)

15. First Drift Previsions Monday 30th October, 11 AM Ship to be washed ashore on Côtes d’Armor or Guernesey during night of 31st October if not towed. Risk of Cason scenario

16. Captains prepare for Towing Monday 30th October, 10h00-11h30 From Abeille Flandre Capt. Seiler calls for intervention team with chemical protection to connect the towline on Ievoli Sun At Maritime Prefecture Capt. Claden interviews Ievoli Sun captain, first mate and first engineer

17. Information on Incident Monday 30th October, 11h30-12h30 Flooding alarm in bow thruster room at 12h30 on 29 October Pumping is impossible : hydraulic system out of order Decision : continue route at 5 knots By midnight, ship becomes heavy, water fills bow peak and double hulls 1 and 2 (plus 3 in part)

18. Information for Towline Connection Monday 30th October, 11h30-12h30 Winches cannot be used : hydraulic system is out of order Stern crane has independent hydraulic engine. Could possibly be used. Command command box is in starboard funnel casing Electricity onboard : starboard generator left running

19. Preparation of Intervention Team Monday 30th October, 11h00-12h00 A light team of 6 : 2 officers, 3 marine firemen, 1 chemical hazard fireman Each with light helicopter waterproof suit, 2 h respiratory equipment, life jacket, VHF, explosion meter, helmet, tools (220 kg/man) 2 doctors and cameraman aboard helicopter

20. Intervention Tactics Monday 30th October, 12h00-12h30 Overflight of ship and buoyancy assessment Winching of Capt. Claden with explosion meter, contamination assessment Assessment of ship situation, winching of respiratory equipment, winching of team Stern investigation, towing gear selection Towline connection, ship safeguard, departure

21. Briefing, Training, Departure Monday 30th October, 12h30-14h50 Dressing team, testing and exercising equipment Super Frelon temporarily out of order. Team distributed in two smaller Lynx helicopters Take off at 14.30. Arrival above ship at 14.50

22. Arrival of Team Onboard Monday 30th October, 14h50-15h20 Diver and Capt. Claden winched onboard. Castle portside inspection. Ship situation assessment Equipment and rest of crew winched onboard Technical problem on one helicopter. Both obliged to leave area

23. Towline Connection Monday 30th October, 16h00-16h50 Waves 8-9 m. Stern deck small. No hydraulics available. Decision : hoist light gear by hand and pull towline gear from Abeilles Flandre Success at second attempt (16h50) Expecting return of Super Frelon

24. Ship Investigation and Departure Monday 30th October, 16h50-18h00 Overall tour of accessible ship areas (deck, castle, cargo control room) Recovery of cargo computer and available documents No evidence of cargo leak. Evidence of work on hydraulics (leak of hydraulic oil). 18h00 : departure after closing castle door (bad condition, 3 men needed)

25. Towing Underway Monday 30th October, from 14h50 East-North- East, 4 knots Toward Cherbourg port or stranding in Cotentin shelter

26. Towing underway

27. Ievoli Sun Sinks 3/4 of Way Tuesday 31st October, 9h30 9 NM North- West of Aurigny island (British Isles) 20 NM from cape of La Hague (France)

28. Scene of a New Potential Crisis is Set With : A double hull recent European vessel (European crew) 3 chemicals (Styrene, Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone, Isopropylic Alcohol) + bunker The second activation of the POLMAR response plan in 11 months No visible pollution and no recovery at sea technique at hand

29. Ship and Cargo Salvage Failed But a major potential catastrophe was avoided Leaving a potential threat along a major navigation route, close to important fishing beds And wreck investigations will soon show that further action remains possible

30. Wreck investigation Vessel upturned, 3 breaches, 1 imploded tank, minor seeps, strong currents