Federal Miramichi given deadline by French authorities

Federal Miramichi given deadline by French authorities

www.bbc.co.uk

A cargo ship adrift off the Channel Islands has been issued a legal warning by French authorities, giving it until 15:30 GMT to begin running again.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.thisisguernsey.com

the mv Federal Miramichi is a bulk solids carrier , hauling 20 thousand tons of urea [ a chemical most promenently associated with urine - but which is used in agreculture and chemical processes

she was sailing from krosnstad [ russia ] to south america , but suffered unspecified engine / gearbox failure in the english chanel , and drifted helpless towards the chanel islands

due to the nature of her cargo - a grounding incident and sinking / breakup would be catastropic for local eco-systems and fisheries industries

so a total of 3 tugs have been commissioned to render assistance and ensure she stays under control in deep water

backed by a french govt ultimatum for the ship to demand that control is restored

if the dedline expires the french authorities will take direct action which will incur significant finanicial penalties for the vessels owners

www.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

I would like to add that Urea is not generally considered a hazardous chemical.
It is primarily used as a fertilizer.

I deal with this stuff every day, so the claims that this is because of the cargo involved is unfounded
unless there is a direct threat of the sinking of the vessel.

reply to post by isyeye
If it was possible and I dont know that it is ...How big of a bomb would that container make?

more details on the vessel :

link details of the vessel [ with stock picture ]

the vessel can be tracked using the live map applet - enter "Federal Miramichi" into the ` go to vessel box [ top left ]

it now SEEMS to be either underway or under tow from the french tug ABEILLE LIBERTE


but AIS is not synchronous for every vessel - so its hard to tell wether the tug has the vessel under tow or is simply on station to provide assistance

my guess is that she has the Federal Miramichi under tow

about her cargo :

urea , despite is association with urine - has no foul odour when in an anhydrous state [ this is what the Federal Miramichi will be carrying - pelletised urea [ with grains about the size of peas ]

the danger is that if the vessel sinks or breaks up - it reacts with water to produce ammonia - this is why the french govt is so concerned

a uncontrolled leak of 22 thousand tonnes in a small area would kill all sea life in a limited area instantly - and the dispersal would blight hundreds of square miles of fisheries and wildlife

as urea is also a nitogen rich compoud it would fuel algal blooms and other unwanted effects that would last far longer than the initial spill

reply to post by isyeye


22 thousand tons of it dumped off the french coast would destroy wildlife , fisheries and shellfish beds & fuel algal blooms

What can they do if they dont meet the deadline its not like they are going to sink it lol,and it is only carrying an extract from urine hardly dangerous

Originally posted by the2ofusr1
reply to post by isyeye

 

If it was possible and I dont know that it is ...How big of a bomb would that container make?

Urea is not Ammonium Nitrate, and creating bombs from it is not as simple, although there can be concerns if someone is knowledgable enough to know what to do with it.

Originally posted by ignorant_ape
reply to post by isyeye

 

22 thousand tons of it dumped off the french coast would destroy wildlife , fisheries and shellfish beds & fuel algal blooms

There would be signifigant impact if it contaminated the coast. This cargo ship is 17 miles off the coast, and is simply broke down, and not in immediate danger.

I see cargo ships being delayed from breakdowns quite frequently in my line of work. It's not that big of a threat unless there is an immediate danger to the vessel. It is cause for concern....not panic.

Originally posted by TBR47
What can they do if they dont meet the deadline its not like they are going to sink it lol,and it is only carrying an extract from urine hardly dangerous

It is not an extract of urine.

Urea can also be manufactured synthetically. This was first done in 1828, and by complete accident, as the scientist involved was trying to make ammonium cyanate. In the process of adding ammonium chloride to silver cyanate, a crystal type substance formed. When analyzed, it was the chemical compound urea. In today's processing, urea is made through a process of heating ammonium carbamate. The compound is placed in a sealed container and heated. The ammonium carbamate is a combination of ammonia and carbon dioxide. This heating dehydrates the compound, and the crystals that form are urea.

reply to post by TBR47


if the dealine was missed - the fench govt would decide the fate of the vessel - not its owners - no they would not sink it - thats what they are trying to avoid

but the owners and crew would loose the right to any say in how the vessel was brought under control , or by who and what repairs made before it was allowed to resume its course

BUT would still be liable for all costs - and worse find that thier insurers would not honour the expenses

reply to post by ignorant_ape

Its mandated in the US that all Commercial Tractors use it to clean the exhaust...ever wonder why we hardly see the smoke stacks on commercial trucks not billowing out the thick plumes of black smoke? Urea my friends..it makes what comes out of those stacks almost pure O2. DEF. Chemistry is a wonderful science