Barge TBS 3301 loaded with 9722 tons of coal, was caught in bad weather off Kangean island, Java sea, Indonesia, in mid-July, and developed portside list. Barge was under tow by tug RIMAU 33 from East Kalimantan to Power Station PLTU Celukan Bawang, northern Bali. Tug managed to complete towage, arriving at Celukan Bawang on Jul 29, but wasn’t docked because terminal has been occupied by other ships or ship. Barge has been brought to anchor, list increased, so finally, she rested on bottom by bow part, or probably, was intentionally grounded to avoid capsizing. Not clear yet how to salvage barge and coal, and avoid massive coal loss, fraught with threat of water and beach pollution.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.