The first event building up to the 300th anniversary of one of the Clyde’s most famous shipbuilders, the Scott’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, of Greenock, takes place at Greenock this month.

The main attraction will be the Royal Fleet Auxiliary stores ship Fort Rosalie, 23,382 tonnes, which was completed by the shipbuilders in 1978 as the Fort Grange and renamed in 2000.

Read more: Ship’s visit marks yard’s 300th anniversary

The crew and firefighters tackled a major blaze on the Bahamas registered bulk carrier Yeoman Bontrup, 96,725dwt, moored at the Glensanda Quarry pier on the Morven peninsula in Lochaber on July 2.

The Glensanda Quarry produces aggregates for the UK and European construction industry and all the aggregates are shipped by sea, with Yeoman Glensanda operating three selfunloading bulk carriers.

The fire broke out at around 1530 in a conveyor belt used to carry aggregates from the quarry to the Yeoman Bontrup. The fierce fire sparked off an explosion involving gas cylinders which further damaged the ship. One man was taken to hospital in Oban for treatment and a number of the crew were treated for minor injuries and for the effects of smoke inhalation.

The Coastguard rescue tug Anglian Sovereign, 2,263gt, headed for the ship, and overnight she carried out boundary cooling by spraying water on the ship’s hull to minimise the risk of further outbreaks of fire.

By the end of that day, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) was working with the ship’s owners to organise salvage of the vessel and protect the harbour against pollution. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch had also been informed.

On the afternoon of July 3, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported the fire had been brought under control but there were still small pockets of fire. Representatives from the Dutch salvage company Smit Salvage had arrived and in addition to equipment being flown in from Holland by the salvage company, the MCA had transported pumps and breathing apparatus to the scene from storage across the UK.

Early on July 12, the quarry was back in business with the arrival of the Yeoman Bank, 43,728dwt.

More on this and other news in Sea Breezes Magazine - September 2010 Issue
Click on the links below to subscribe

Tough new regulations affecting cruise ships with 250 passengers or more on international voyages which embark or disembark passengers in a US port come into force shortly.

Read more: Cruise lines face tough new laws when calling at US ports

The impact on charter parties of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been highlighted by the UK Defence Club which has been dealing with queries from members about the situation.

Read more: Gulf oil slicks and advice to owners