Five people were slightly injured on Friday August 9 evening after a collision between a tanker and a bulk carrier at the entrance to St Nazaire, announced this Saturday the French Atlantic maritime authority (Préfecture Maritime de l’Atlantique) which is responsible for the maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in the Atlantic region of France.
At around 9:00 p.m., “the bulk carrier Olga (Liberia flag) collided with the tanker Iver Blessing (Gibraltar flag),” the Préfecture indicated in a press release.
The Iver Blessing was at anchor at the time, whilst the bulk carrier Olga was leaving its anchorage, according to the report of the French authority Préfecture Maritime de l’Atlantique.
After an initial investigation, the Iver Blessing reported five minor injuries not requiring medical attention.
The tanker suffered a breach at the stern of the vessel, above the waterline. This did not affect its buoyancy, the maritime authority added.
No water ingress was observed on the two vessels involved.
The bulk carrier Olga has “a hole above its waterline but without consequences on the integrity of the ship”, according to the same source.
An investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the accident, the authority added in a statement.
#PREMAR vendredi 09 aout vers 21h00, devant St Nazaire (44) collision entre le vraquier Olga 🇱🇷 et le tanker Iver Blessing 🇬🇮 au mouillage. 5 blessés légers sans nécessité de prise en charge médicale. Aucune voie d’eau sur les deux navires mis en cause. pic.twitter.com/2meRDNmCyX
— Préfecture maritime et commandement en chef ATLANT (@premar_ceclant) August 10, 2024
