On 5 January 05, at about 2330hrs, a barge Viva 3 (1,252 gross tons) ran aground at about 700 metres southeast of Horsburgh Lighthouse in the Singapore port waters (please refer to the attached chartlet). At the time of the incident, Viva 3 was being towed by a tug Tropical Ocean.

According to the master of Tropical Ocean, the towline of Viva 3 parted and as a result, the barge drifted away from the tug and subsequently ran aground. The barge, which had departed from Pasir Gudang, Johor, was carrying piling equipment. It was bound for Sibu in Sarawak.

Both the barge and tug are in stable condition. There was no report of any crew injury or oil pollution. The tug's ship agent Tropical Shipping & Trading Co Pte Ltd is making arrangements to refloat the barge.

Vessel traffic remains unaffected. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued navigational broadcasts to inform ships in the vicinity, of the incident and to keep clear. The MPA will be investigating the incident.

End of Release.

Attached:

Chartlet – Viva 3