New Carissa

New Carissa

New Carissa broken in two
History
Philippines
Name	New Carissa
Owner	Green Atlas Shipping, Panama
Operator	Taiheiyo Kaiun Co. Ltd., Japan
Port of registry	Manila
Ordered	September 1988[1]
Builder	Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan
Yard number	1172[1]
Laid down	28 February 1989[1]
Launched	22 June 1989[1]
Completed	30 August 1989[1]
In service	1989–1999
Identification	IMO number: 8716136 Call sign: DVUI[2]
Fate	Ran aground near Coos Bay, Oregon, U.S., on 4 February 1999; broke apart on beach. Bow towed out to sea, sunk. Stern section remained ashore until being dismantled and removed in 2008.
General characteristics
Type	Woodchips carrier[2]
Tonnage	36,571 GT 16,524 NT[1] 44,527 DWT
Length	194.89 m (639 ft 5 in)[1]
Beam	32.2 m (105 ft 8 in)
Draft	10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Installed power	Mitsubishi-Sulzer 6RTA52; 6,032 kW (8,089 hp)
Propulsion	Single shaft; fixed pitch propeller
Speed	13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph)[1]
Capacity	91,814 m3 (3,242,400 cu ft)[1]
Crew	26

43°23′55″N 124°18′43″W / 43.39861°N 124.31194°W / 43.39861; -124.31194

MV New Carissa was a freighter that ran aground and broke apart on a beach near Coos Bay, Oregon, United States, during a storm in February 1999. An attempt to tow the bow section of the ship out to sea failed when the tow line broke, and the bow was grounded again. Eventually, the bow was successfully towed out to sea and sunk. The stern section remained on the beach for over nine years until it was dismantled and removed in 2008.

The United States Coast Guard performed an investigation and found that error on the part of the captain was the main cause of the wreck; however, neither the captain nor the crewmembers were charged with any crime. There were significant financial consequences for New Carissa's owners and insurer. Fuel on board the ship was burned off in situ with napalm, but a significant amount was also spilled from the wreckage, causing ecological damage to the coast.