Most of you have probably seen the scary photos of the Mitsui-OSK Lines ship "Cougar Ace" (which sounds like a bad NASCAR movie starring Burt Reynolds and his toupee) listing, well, pretty badly in waters off the Alaska coast. What you didn't see was what is inside the ship: Almost 5,000 Mazda vehicles bound for the Canadian port of Vancouver, the Washington state port of Tacoma and the California port of Hueneme (just south of Ventura, for you map freaks). What follows is the official Mazda press release, probably from their "Disaster" department. What we especially enjoy is how Mazda terms the ship's predicament as having "run into trouble". Well, like-a yeah --- We guess!
[Sources: Mazda, Alaska Report, Photos: US Coast Guard)
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda Vehicles Aboard
Stricken Car-Carrying Vessel, Cougar Ace
On July 24, 2006, Mazda was advised that the Mitsui OSK Lines' Cougar Ace had run into trouble off the Alaskan coast. Although it is reportedly still afloat, the vessel is on its side,
What caused this incident or the extent of the damage to the vehicles is currently unknown. Just over 4,700 Canadian- and U.S-bound Mazdas were on board. Approximately 60 percent of the cars are MAZDA3s and close to 30 percent are Mazda CX-7s. The vehicles were headed to the ports of Vancouver (Canada), Tacoma and Hueneme in the USA.
A plan for salvaging the vessel is being developed and will be executed by Mitsui OSK Lines as soon as possible.
Mazda will wait until the situation has been fully evaluated and understood, before disclosing further information.
And here's the story as covered by the ALASKA NEWS REPORT:
Coast Guard says Cougar Ace is stable and listing 60 degrees near Aleutian Islands, Alaska
7/25/06
Adak, Alaska
The Cougar Ace maintains its position 240 miles south of Adak in the North Pacific Ocean. As of noon Tuesday, the ship is listing 60 degrees to port. The keel and the propeller are out of the water.
It is stable, and does not appear to be sinking.
After accomplishing the primary mission of safely evacuating the stranded crewmembers, the Coast Guard continues to monitor the vessel for possible environmental threats and hazards to navigation. For this purpose, the Coast Guard cutter Rush is on scene with the Cougar Ace. A small boat crew, deployed from the Rush to more effectively observe the Cougar Ace, described the oil sheen around the vessel as "very light".
No one will be permitted to board the Cougar Ace at this time.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is monitoring the situation, and has offered their help if it becomes necessary.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the vessel's owners, have contracted a commercial salvage company. The salvage company is expected to arrive on scene within a week.
Mitsui O.S.K. will also be responsible for further transportation of the rescued crew members.
The Coast Guard is actively engaged with state, local and tribal officials in making preparations in case the salvage company requests to tow the vessel into Alaskan waters.
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