River Shannon News

The Irish Naval Service patrol ship LÉ Aisling stood by the tanker 'Hellespont Charger' in rough weather at the request of the Irish Coast Guard until the arrival of the tugboat after the chemical tanker with 22 crew on board lost power on its main engines 400 miles west of Loop Head, reports Ireland's RTE News. The tanker with 15,000 tonnes of caustic soda on board was taken in tow by the tug Thrax towards the River Shannon where the cargo is desined for the Aughinish Alumina plant there. Irish Naval Service vessel LÉ Aisling: Photo Irish Coast Guard Source: RTE News

On June 3, 2002 the 5,970 dwt, 104m x 20.5m x 4.9m “Clipper Cheyenne”, sunk alongside the dock at Foynes, Ireland in the pristine waters of the River Shannon, while ballasting to load a floating dredger. The vessel sank in a position alongside and parallel to the quay with the bow of the vessel to seaward, a list to starboard and laid in approximately 11 meters of water at low tide. The tidal range was about 4 meters on spring tides with virtually zero visibility and conditions outside of the hull were further exacerbated by a strong river current. The “Clipper Cheyenne” had 244 tones IFO 180, 36 tones diesel oil, and 11,000 liters lube oil onboard.