The Fate of Grounded Bulk Carrier Uncertain
There is no word yet on what is to become of the bulk carrier Los Llanitos, the 38,000-tonne ship that went aground near Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, during Hurricane Patricia on October 23, says the Mexico News Daily.
On Saturday, October 24, the bulk carrier Los Llanitos ran aground on rocks near Punta Graham, Barra de Navidad, some 25 nautical miles north of Manzanillo, Mexico, Pacific coast. The ship was pushed aground by hurricane Patricia. She was berthed in the port, but asked to meet the hurricane in open seas, when the strong winds and current pushed her aground at the rocks.
The removal of fuel and chemicals was completed on November 26, says a report issued by a salvage company.
But the most recent report on the ship says nothing has been announced regarding the required cleaning of its 20 fuel tanks. Under the maritime navigation and trade law, the owner of the vessel has 90 days to complete the clean-up process and removal of the ship. The 90-day period ends January 28.
A researcher at the University of Guadalajara warns the wreck may represent a serious environmental threat. The 223-meter-long freighter was carrying 500,000 liters of diesel and other hazardous compounds used in the vessel’s day-to-day operation, such as 15,000 liters of lubricant oils, antifreeze, detergents, solvents and others.
The Civil Protection director of the nearby port of Manzanillo, Guadalupe Tene Rodríguez, said the ship could be converted into an artificial reef or removed to another location for dismantling.
The ship, whose condition Tene Rodríguez said is probably worsening, is being monitored regularly by Navy patrols.
