Ostende Max collision update

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has been in contact with the local Maritime Authorities in Malaysia and has received the following update.

The Malaysian authorities have advised that the Liberian registered tanker Formosaproduct Brick, is currently lying just outside the Traffic Separation Scheme (see attached chart) and is listing at about 11º to port. The latest information is that the fire onboard was been fully extinguished at 0455 local time on 20th August 2009 and currently boundary cooling measures are being taken. It is intended that some 24 hours will be allowed for the vessel to cool before a boarding will take place.

Of the 25 reported crewmembers onboard the tanker, 9 are still unaccounted for by the emergency services and it is believed that they are still onboard the vessel, the remainder having been removed by passing vessels and the emergency services.

There has currently been no reported oil spill from the vessel, with the local environmental and maritime authorities monitoring the situation.

The Ostende Max is currently at anchor outside port limits of Port Dickson, the vessel has sustained damage to her bulbous bow and also suffered a minor fire on her fo’csle, which was extinguished by her crew. Two crew members have been to hospital with superficial burns incurred whilst extinguishing the fire and have been released after treatment.

Investigators from the Ship Registry, the Malaysian and Liberian authorities are currently en-route to the site of the collision to undertake investigations into the potential cause of the incident.

The Ship Registry will issue further updates as and when information becomes available.

Information for Editors

The collision occurred within Malaysian waters, bearing Tanjung Tuan, Negeri Sembilan 090º T x 13.0’

INFORMATION ON THE VESSELS