Fairmount Alpine Assists Drifting Vessel Off Cuba

Fairmount Marine’s powerful tug Fairmount Alpine played an important role by avoiding a shipping disaster on the coast of Cuba. The crew of the Fairmount Alpine managed to connect with the drifting cargo vessel off Cuba and managed to tow the distressed vessel into safe waters.

The cargo vessel was reported drifting off Cuba with main engine trouble. Fairmount Alpine was asked to proceed full speed towards Cuba, to render assistance to the vessel that was drifting dangerously towards the northeastern Cuban coast. It was estimated that the vessel would hit the rocks of Punta Brava before the Fairmount Alpine was due to arrive.

With a speed of close to 16 knots Fairmount Alpine arrived at the rendezvous position very fast and radio contact was established between the masters of Fairmount Alpine and of the drifting vessel. At that momentthe vessel was very close to the Cuban coast already. The vessels crew finally managed to start the main engine with its broken crankshaft and on three of its six cylinders. Consequently the vessel wasable to stay away from the coast. Shortly afterwards the Fairmount Alpine was in position to establish an emergency towing connection in order to keep the distressed vessel under control and to tow her towards Kingston, Jamaica.

After a little over two and a half days of slow steaming Kingston was reached. With the assistance of two pilots and a Kingston harbor tug, the vessel was safely anchored at the Port Royal anchorage off Kingston. After the safe delivery on the inner anchorage, Fairmount Alpine was released from her duties.

Fairmount Marine is a marine contractor for ocean towage and heavy lift transportation, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fairmount’s fleet of tugs consists of five modern super tugs of 205 tons bollard pull each, especially designed for long distance towing.

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Offshore Nieuws Staff , December 2, 2011; Image: fairmount