OFFICE workers in high-rise buildings in Tanjong Pagar got a jolt yesterday when they looked out of their windows and saw a ship listing in the waters off Singapore.
Some feared the ship was sinking, but the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said the vessel, the Iranian-registered Danoosh, had earlier been involved in a collision and was to undergo repairs here.The vessel, carrying a crew of 33, had left Singapore with a cargo of maize and collided with an Indonesian container ship near St John's Island at about 2am.
MPA dispatched patrol and emergency response craft to the scene.
No one was injured and there were no reports of pollution.
The freighter suffered a damaged cargo hold, and as a precautionary measure, it was towed to shallower waters in the Eastern Working Anchorage for salvage works, said the MPA.
The Indonesian vessel suffered minor damage and continued its voyage.
Journalist Kate O'Keeffe, who works in the Dow Jones office on the 32nd floor of International Plaza, said the sight caused a commotion among her colleagues at about 2pm.
The 25-year-old said: 'There appeared to be a ship sinking in the sea.'
She added that she was concerned as she did not see any other vessels approaching it to carry out a rescue.
The MPA is investigating the cause of the incident.
SUJIN THOMAS
Two vessels collide off St John's Island
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia 23 Apr 09;
SINGAPORE: A cargo ship collided with a smaller container vessel Thursday morning near St John's Island, which is located 6.5 kilometre south of Singapore.
No one was injured in the incident.
Several people called the MediaCorp hotline, reporting a sinking vessel off the Marina South Pier.
But the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore clarified that the Iranian-registered cargo ship "Danoosh" was anchored there for salvage works after the collision.
It is currently anchored in the Eastern Working Anchorage. The ship's cargo hold was damaged, but it is in stable condition. Its crew of 33 are believed to be still onboard.
The smaller container vessel, Indonesian-registered "Lagun Mas", suffered some damage to its railing and bow and has continued on its way.
MPA, which is investigating the incident, said there was no report of pollution and port operations remain unaffected.- CNA/yt
Listing and helpless
Today Online 24 Apr 09;
A freighter and container ship collided about 3km south-west of St John’s Island yesterday at 2.30am. The Iranian-registered freighter, Danoosh, was travelling east while Indonesian-registered container ship, Lagun Mas, was heading west. There was no report of pollution or injury, and port operations remain unaffected, said the Maritime Port Authority (MPA).
But the Danoosh, which has a crew of 33, reported damage to its cargo of maize. The freighter was towed to more shallow waters as a precaution for salvage works. Lagun Mas continued its voyage.
Prior to the collision, MPA had alerted both vessels and provided navigational information. It is investigating the incident.