Explosion onboard: AUK ARROW

London / Bergen, 3 August 2010

Owners and Managers of the “AUK ARROW” a general cargo vessel of 27,962 gross tons, report that the vessel had an explosion onboard whilst the vessel was along side at the Enavi Shipyard in Rio de Janeiro Monday 2 Aug at 2215 LT . Two persons have been reported dead, three persons have been hospitalised, one seriously injured and two with burn and leg injuries. All five persons are yard workers.

The AUK ARROW arrived at the Enavi Shipyard 25 Jul to undergo repairs in the water ballast tanks.

A combined search and rescue operation was carried out by the Ship staff along with Enavi Shipyard safety personnel including doctors, but regretfully one person was found dead and another person was declared dead upon arrival at hospital. Three other persons were conscious and able to speak when taken out from the water ballast tank. One with critical injuries was taken directly to the hospital, whilst two other were given first aid onboard and later taken to hospital.

The local Police have attended and all the appropriate Authorities will be notified of the incident including The Bahamas as Flag State.

At this moment, the thoughts at Gearbulk and Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi A/S are with the injured yard workers and the families who have lost a family member and for those that have lost a good colleague.

It is anticipated that a full investigation will be carried out by Official Authorities as to the circumstances of the explosion. An investigation will be supported by the vessel’s manager as necessary.

The AUK ARROW is owned by Gearbulk Shipowning Ltd and managed by Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi A/S. The crew of the vessel comprised 31 seafarers; all of Indian nationality.

Gearbulk