The Telegram
A bulk carrier with 11 people on board that had been drifting south of Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve on the weekend is due to arrive in Argentia this morning under tow.
As of early this morning (Monday), M/V Baby Leeyn remained under tow by the tug Placenta Hope en route to Argentia.
The estimated time of arrival at port in Argentia is 8 a.m. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir William Alexander is accompanying the vessels to port.
According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response and Transport Canada are continuing to monitor the progress of the vessels and a Provincial Airlines reconnaissance flight was scheduled for 7 a.m. Newfoundland Time, this morning.
Weather and sea conditions improved significantly overnight; however, strong winds and waves continue to exist in the area.
DFO said no pollution release was detected or injuries reported.
Earlier story:
The vessel is carrying a large amount of fuel and an environmental response team was standing by.
As of 10:30 Sunday night the vessel was anchored in 20 metres of water approximately 1.4 nautical miles from land, south of Lears Cove (on the Cape Shore).
The MV Baby Leeyn (formerly known as the MV Jana) is 132 metres long. It left Argentia Nov. 25 and reported engine trouble just after midnight.
“Weather and sea state conditions are starting to improve,” the coast guard said in a late-night release Sunday. “Winds remain at 25 – 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots are expected to decrease overnight. Waves are still 3-4 metres but are expected to drop to 2 – 3 metres.”
The Beverly M, a tugboat from Argentia hired by owners of the MV Baby Leeyn, was able to secure a tow line on the vessel for a short period of time however the tow line parted due sea state conditions, the release stated.
“The Placentia Hope, a second tug contracted by the Canadian Coast Guard has now secured another tow-line,” the coast guard said. “ThePlacentia Hope will begin towing the MV Baby Leeyn to Argentia overnight. The CCG Ship Sir William Alexander will accompany the Placentia Hope and MV Baby Leeyn until the MV Baby Leeyn is secured in Argentia. The tug Beverly M will also accompany the vessels.”
The bulk carrier’s crew remained onboard and was working on fixing the engine,
A Provincial Airlines surveillance plane was also on scene monitoring the vessel Sunday night.
The Baby Leeyn had not declared a distress signal Sunday night but search and rescue resources are on stand-by.
The MV Baby Leeyn is owned by Blue Shark Shipping and is flagged through Panama.
The vessel is not carrying any freight but is reported to have 35 tonnes of marine diesel fuel, and 250 tonnes of heavy fuel on board.
It’s not the first time the vessel has run into trouble in Newfoundland waters. In its former incarnation as the MV Jana the ship experienced engine trouble and was forced to tie up in Argentia, where its crew, eight Ukrainians and three Russians were stranded at the port for months after the Jana’s former owners did not pay them.
Previous story:
Distressed bulk carrier drifting near Cape St. Mary ecological reserve
Vessel carrying tonnes of fuel
The Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue is monitoring a bulk carrier with 11 people on board that’s drifting just under three nautical miles south of Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve.
The MV Baby Leeyn (formerly known as the MV Jana) is 132 metres long. It left Argentia Nov. 25 and reported engine trouble just after midnight.
The crew is working on fixing the engine, but responders are standing by.
The CCG Ship Sir William Alexander is en route and expected to arrive Sunday evening.
The owner has hired a tug which is currently on scene. The tug will attempt to attach a tow-line.
A Provincial Airlines surveillance plane is currently on scene monitoring the vessel.
The Coast Guard has also contracted a second tug, the Placentia Hope, to provide assistance, as required, in this operation.
The vessel has not declared a distress however search and rescue resources are on stand-by.
The MV Baby Leeyn is owned by Blue Shark Shipping and is flagged through Panama.
The vessel is not carrying any freight but is reported to have 35 tonnes of marine diesel fuel, and 250 tonnes of heavy fuel on board.
The Coast Guard has directed the owner to prepare a response plan and take any required actions and the coast guard is assisting with the implementation.
It’s not the first time the vessel has run into trouble in Newfoundland waters. In its former incarnation as the MV Jana the ship experienced engine trouble and was forced to tie up in Argentia.
