On December 15th, two Russian tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, reportedly sank in the Kerch Strait after breaking apart, spilling approximately 8,300 tonnes of fuel oil. Thirteen crew members were aboard the Volgoneft 212. Rescue efforts, involving tugboats and a helicopter, are underway to save the sailors and contain the oil spill. The cause is believed to be severe wave action.
A New Zealand military inquiry determined that the HMNZS Manawanui sank due to human error; the crew mistakenly left the autopilot engaged, causing the ship to ground on a reef. The ship, tasked with ocean floor mapping, was lost in October, marking New Zealand’s first naval loss since WWII. Although the 950 tons of diesel fuel onboard initially raised environmental concerns, salvage efforts are underway to prevent a spill. This incident follows the grounding of a U.S. Navy oil ship off Oman, highlighting recent maritime mishaps.
John Q. Hosedrinker