Eurobulker IV

On 8 September 2000, the bulk carrier Eurobulker IV with a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag ploughed into rocks while attempting to enter the port of Porto Vesme (Italy). The vessel was carrying 17,000 tonnes of coal, 35 tonnes of diesel oil and 170 tonnes of bunker fuel.

All 16 crew members were evacuated and it appeared that the captain had no nautical charts of the area, which is however known to be a hazardous shipping area.

The hull was considerably damaged by the rocks and 60 tonnes of bunker fuel leaked out. In spite of difficult conditions at sea, booms were deployed to protect the coastal zone. Several response vessels were also sent on-site.

Salvage operations were initiated on 28 September but on 3 October, the bulk carrier broke in two and sank with 14,000 tonnes of coal still in the holds. Recovery operations on the seafloor were carried out from 23 October 2000 to 15 August 2002 and in total 4,829 tonnes of matter were recovered.

Sources :

• IMO/UNEP/MAP/REMPEC, 2004, List of alerts and accidents in the Mediterranean
• Lloyd’s casualty reporting service, 14 September 2000, Eurobulker IV
• Lloyd’s list, 2000, Eurobulker IV
• Ministero dell’Ambiente, 11 September 2000, M/V Eurobulker IV
• CaloForte Friends
• - Claudio Paolini, 2005, Impatto chimico-fisico del carico di carbone disperso nel canale di San Pietro (CA) con l’affondamento della M/N Eurobulker IV