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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Collision between MV ''Testbank'' and MV ''Seadaniel''}}
The '''collision between MV ''Testbank'' and MV ''Seadaniel''''' was a 1980 collision between ships in the [[Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal]] (MRGO). On July 22, the outbound {{convert|485|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Germany|German]] container ship ''Testbank'' and inbound {{convert|580|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Panama]]nian-[[Flag of convenience|flagged]] bulk carrier ''Seadaniel''<ref name="helm">{{cite news|title=Coast Guard Blames Panamanian Freighter In PCP Spill|accessdate=14 December 2012|date=23 April 1981|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> collided near mile 41 of the canal.<ref name="5th cir">''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', 752 F.2d 1019 (5th Cir. 1985) (en banc).</ref>
The '''collision between MV ''Testbank'' and MV ''Seadaniel''''' took place in the [[Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal]] (MRGO) on July 22, 1980 when the outbound {{convert|485|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Germany|German]] container ship ''Testbank'' and inbound {{convert|580|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Panama]]nian-[[Flag of convenience|flagged]] bulk carrier ''Seadaniel''<ref name="helm">{{cite news|title=Coast Guard Blames Panamanian Freighter In PCP Spill|date=23 April 1981|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> collided near mile 41 of the canal.<ref name="5th cir">''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', 752 F.2d 1019 (5th Cir. 1985) (en banc).</ref>


In the collision, four cargo containers were lost overboard from the ''Testbank'', containing household goods, lubricant, scrap metal, and [[pentachlorophenol]] (PCP). The amount of PCP lost was reported as between 12<ref name="oceans81">{{cite conference|last=Maynard|first=Nancy G.|conference=OCEANS 81|year=1981|month=September|publisher=IEEE|pages=721–726|doi=10.1109/OCEANS.1981.1151506|accessdate=15 December 2012|location=Boston}}</ref> and 12.5 tons.<ref name="helm" /> There were two other damaged containers containing PCP reported on the deck of the ''Testbank''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cleanup Continues, Priest Readies Message of Hope|accessdate=29 December 2012|date=August 2, 1980|agency=Associated Press|location=Shell Beach, Louisiana}}</ref> In addition, a number of barrels containing [[hydrobromic acid]] were lost overboard, and others broke open and spilled onto the deck of the ''Testbank'',<ref name="oceans81" /> creating a cloud of gas around both ships.<ref name="5th cir" /> Crews were able to clean up the hydrobromic acid within a few days, but the PCP proved to be a greater challenge. Stored in {{convert|50|lb|kg|adj=on}} paper sacks, the coarse granules of PCP rapidly sank to the bottom of the channel where visibility was nearly zero. Chemical analysis of the PCP product revealed primarily PCP, [[tetrachlorphenol]] and [[trichlorophenol]]. Notably, the product also contained several [[polychlorinated dibenzodioxins]], which are known for their toxicity and [[bioaccumulation]].<ref name="oceans81" /> At the time, this was the largest spill of pentachlorophenol in United States history. The [[United States Coast Guard]] closed the canal until August 10, 1980. Additionally, all fishing and shrimping operations in a {{convert|400|sqmi|sqkm|adj=on}} area were temporarily suspended.<ref name="5th cir" />
As a result of the collision, some hazardous cargo from ''Testbank'' was released. Specifically, four cargo containers carrying mixed freight were lost overboard, releasing a significant amount of [[pentachlorophenol]] (PCP) into the canal waters. The amount of PCP lost was reported as between 12<ref name="oceans81">{{cite conference|last=Maynard|first=Nancy G.|title=Pentachlorophenol in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet—Problems And Implications|conference=OCEANS 81|date=September 1981|publisher=IEEE|pages=721–726|doi=10.1109/OCEANS.1981.1151506|location=Boston|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1277655}}<!--|accessdate=15 December 2012--></ref> and 12.5 tons.<ref name="helm" /> There were two other damaged containers containing PCP reported on the deck of ''Testbank''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cleanup Continues, Priest Readies Message of Hope|date=August 2, 1980|agency=Associated Press|location=Shell Beach, Louisiana}}</ref> In addition, a number of barrels containing [[hydrobromic acid]] were lost overboard, and others broke open and spilled onto the deck of ''Testbank'',<ref name="oceans81" /> creating a cloud of gas around both ships.<ref name="5th cir" /> Crews were able to clean up the hydrobromic acid within a few days, but the PCP proved to be a greater challenge. Stored in {{convert|50|lb|kg|adj=on}} paper sacks, the coarse granules of PCP rapidly sank to the bottom of the channel where visibility was nearly zero. Chemical analysis of the PCP product revealed primarily PCP, [[tetrachlorophenol]] and [[trichlorophenol]]. Notably, the product also contained several [[polychlorinated dibenzodioxins]], which are known for their toxicity and [[bioaccumulation]].<ref name="oceans81" /> At the time, this was the largest spill of pentachlorophenol in United States history. The [[United States Coast Guard]] closed the canal until August 10, 1980. Additionally, all fishing and shrimping operations in a {{convert|400|sqmi|sqkm|adj=on}} area were temporarily suspended.<ref name="5th cir" />


The Coast Guard ultimately attributed the collision to the [[helmsman]] aboard the ''Seadaniel'', who was evidently having difficulty controlling the ship immediately before the collision, and failed to notify the ship's pilot, captain or first mate. A {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=on}} length of the canal was closed for six weeks as an estimated $2 million cleanup effort managed to clean up some 90% of the spill. The [[Port of New Orleans]] lost $1.5 million in revenue, while the vessels involved in the collision sustained $1.5 million in damage.<ref name="helm" />
The Coast Guard ultimately attributed the collision to the [[helmsman]] aboard ''Seadaniel'', who was evidently having difficulty controlling the ship immediately before the collision, and failed to notify the ship's pilot, captain or first mate. A {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=on}} length of the canal was closed for six weeks as an estimated $2 million cleanup effort managed to clean up some 90% of the spill. The [[Port of New Orleans]] lost $1.5 million in revenue, while the vessels involved in the collision sustained $1.5 million in damage.<ref name="helm" />


In ''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]] heard the consolidated claims of some forty-one lawsuits originally filed in the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana|Eastern District of Louisiana]]. The claims in these suits stemmed from what the court held were [[pure economic loss]]es in "shipping interests, marina and boat rental operators, wholesale and retail seafood enterprises not actually engaged in fishing, seafood restaurants, tackle and bait shops, and recreational fishermen". The court examined the holding in ''[[Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co. v. Flint]]'', 275 [[United States Reports|U.S.]] 303 (1927).<ref name="5th cir" />
In ''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]] heard the consolidated claims of some forty-one lawsuits originally filed in the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana|Eastern District of Louisiana]]. The claims in these suits stemmed from what the court held were [[pure economic loss]]es in "shipping interests, marina and boat rental operators, wholesale and retail seafood enterprises not actually engaged in fishing, seafood restaurants, tackle and bait shops, and recreational fishermen". The court examined the holding in ''[[Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co. v. Flint]]'', 275 [[United States Reports|U.S.]] 303 (1927).<ref name="5th cir" />


The ''Testbank'' was [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] by the [[Bank Line]] and owned by the [[Partenreederei]] MS ''Charlotta''. She was a three-hold [[container ship]], built in 1978, diesel powered, with a single right-hand propeller. She measured {{convert|495|ft|m}} in length, {{convert|69|ft|m}} in breadth, {{GT|5629}}, {{NetT|4064}} and {{DWT|12914}}.<ref name="edla">''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', 564 F. Supp. 729 (E.D. La. 1983).</ref> She had a capacity of 517 [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s, and operated at a speed of {{convert|17|kn}}.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Bank Line Observes First Anniversary Here|journal=Port of Houston Magazine|year=1979|month=July|volume=23|issue=7|publisher=[[Port of Houston]] Authority|url=http://www.portarchive.com/1977_1979/1979/07-July%20Page%209%20to%2034.pdf|accessdate=15 December 2012|page=19}}</ref> The ''Seadaniel'' was owned and operated by [[Fortune Sea Transport]] of Panama. She was a six-hold [[bulk carrier]], built in 1976, diesel powered, with a single screw. She measured {{convert|580|ft|m}} in length, {{convert|75|ft|m}} in breadth, {{GT|16168}}, {{NetT|10998}} and {{DWT|27000}}. ''Seadaniel'' was carrying [[baryte]] at the time of the collision.<ref name="edla" />
''Testbank'' was [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] by the [[Bank Line]] and owned by the [[Partenreederei]] MS ''Charlotta''. She was a three-hold [[container ship]], built in 1978, diesel powered, with a single right-hand propeller. She measured {{convert|495|ft|m}} in length, {{convert|69|ft|m}} in breadth, {{GT|5629}}, {{NetT|4064}} and {{DWT|12914}}.<ref name="edla">''Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank'', 564 F. Supp. 729 (E.D. La. 1983).</ref> She had a capacity of 517 [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s, and operated at a speed of {{convert|17|kn|lk=in}}.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Bank Line Observes First Anniversary Here|journal=Port of Houston Magazine|date=July 1979|volume=23|issue=7|publisher=[[Port of Houston]] Authority|url=http://www.portarchive.com/1977_1979/1979/07-July%20Page%209%20to%2034.pdf|accessdate=15 December 2012|page=19}}</ref> ''Seadaniel'' was owned and operated by [[Fortune Sea Transport]] of Panama. She was a six-hold [[bulk carrier]], built in 1976, diesel powered, with a single screw. She measured {{convert|580|ft|m}} in length, {{convert|75|ft|m}} in breadth, {{GT|16168}}, {{NetT|10998}} and {{DWT|27000}}. ''Seadaniel'' was carrying [[baryte]] at the time of the collision.<ref name="edla" />


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{1980 shipwrecks}}
{{water-transport-stub}}

[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1980]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1980]]
[[Category:United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit cases]]
[[Category:United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit cases]]
[[Category:Pollution in the United States]]
[[Category:Water pollution in the United States]]
[[Category:Mississippi River]]
[[Category:Mississippi River]]
[[Category:1980 in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Transportation in New Orleans]]
[[Category:Environmental impact of shipping]]
[[Category:Ocean pollution]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:Chemical disasters]]
[[Category:Environmental disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:July 1980 events in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 14:32, 25 November 2020

The collision between MV Testbank and MV Seadaniel took place in the Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal (MRGO) on July 22, 1980 when the outbound 485-foot (148 m) German container ship Testbank and inbound 580-foot (180 m) Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Seadaniel[1] collided near mile 41 of the canal.[2]

As a result of the collision, some hazardous cargo from Testbank was released. Specifically, four cargo containers carrying mixed freight were lost overboard, releasing a significant amount of pentachlorophenol (PCP) into the canal waters. The amount of PCP lost was reported as between 12[3] and 12.5 tons.[1] There were two other damaged containers containing PCP reported on the deck of Testbank.[4] In addition, a number of barrels containing hydrobromic acid were lost overboard, and others broke open and spilled onto the deck of Testbank,[3] creating a cloud of gas around both ships.[2] Crews were able to clean up the hydrobromic acid within a few days, but the PCP proved to be a greater challenge. Stored in 50-pound (23 kg) paper sacks, the coarse granules of PCP rapidly sank to the bottom of the channel where visibility was nearly zero. Chemical analysis of the PCP product revealed primarily PCP, tetrachlorophenol and trichlorophenol. Notably, the product also contained several polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, which are known for their toxicity and bioaccumulation.[3] At the time, this was the largest spill of pentachlorophenol in United States history. The United States Coast Guard closed the canal until August 10, 1980. Additionally, all fishing and shrimping operations in a 400-square-mile (1,000 km2) area were temporarily suspended.[2]

The Coast Guard ultimately attributed the collision to the helmsman aboard Seadaniel, who was evidently having difficulty controlling the ship immediately before the collision, and failed to notify the ship's pilot, captain or first mate. A 9-mile (14 km) length of the canal was closed for six weeks as an estimated $2 million cleanup effort managed to clean up some 90% of the spill. The Port of New Orleans lost $1.5 million in revenue, while the vessels involved in the collision sustained $1.5 million in damage.[1]

In Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard the consolidated claims of some forty-one lawsuits originally filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The claims in these suits stemmed from what the court held were pure economic losses in "shipping interests, marina and boat rental operators, wholesale and retail seafood enterprises not actually engaged in fishing, seafood restaurants, tackle and bait shops, and recreational fishermen". The court examined the holding in Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co. v. Flint, 275 U.S. 303 (1927).[2]

Testbank was chartered by the Bank Line and owned by the Partenreederei MS Charlotta. She was a three-hold container ship, built in 1978, diesel powered, with a single right-hand propeller. She measured 495 feet (151 m) in length, 69 feet (21 m) in breadth, 5,629 GT, 4,064 NT and 12,914 DWT.[5] She had a capacity of 517 twenty-foot equivalent units, and operated at a speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).[6] Seadaniel was owned and operated by Fortune Sea Transport of Panama. She was a six-hold bulk carrier, built in 1976, diesel powered, with a single screw. She measured 580 feet (180 m) in length, 75 feet (23 m) in breadth, 16,168 GT, 10,998 NT and 27,000 DWT. Seadaniel was carrying baryte at the time of the collision.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Coast Guard Blames Panamanian Freighter In PCP Spill". Associated Press. 23 April 1981.
  2. ^ a b c d Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank, 752 F.2d 1019 (5th Cir. 1985) (en banc).
  3. ^ a b c Maynard, Nancy G. (September 1981). Pentachlorophenol in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet—Problems And Implications. OCEANS 81. Boston: IEEE. pp. 721–726. doi:10.1109/OCEANS.1981.1151506.
  4. ^ "Cleanup Continues, Priest Readies Message of Hope". Shell Beach, Louisiana. Associated Press. August 2, 1980.
  5. ^ a b Louisiana ex rel. Guste v. M/V Testbank, 564 F. Supp. 729 (E.D. La. 1983).
  6. ^ "The Bank Line Observes First Anniversary Here" (PDF). Port of Houston Magazine. 23 (7). Port of Houston Authority: 19. July 1979. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
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