I received a letter from Polaris Shipping Company with details of an accident, which took place on board of VLOC STELLAR YOUNG on July 22 during her stay at Gwangyang, South Korea. Here it is:
Dear MIKHAIL VOYTENKO
We (Polaris Shipping Co., Ltd ) have searched and found the article that is misreported, which might cause serious damage to our company by somehow.
'An Explosion occurred...' is very wrong to what actually happened.
Please note "No Fire" and "No Explosion" accident involved on the M/V Stellar Young, 2 crew had experience only burn injury by Fuel Oil Scattering on 22nd July. 2017 during the work at G/E F.O .Auto Filer at KwangYang Port, Korea.
They were treated immediately to shore hospital by ambulance. One of the seafarer will be able to get back to work in about three days, while the other will likely be back to work in about two weeks.
No extra repairs are required, so there will be no delays for vessel’s schedule at all.
Please check and correct the article please.
Explosion is not a proper word to use for this incident.
If there are any other queries, do not hesitate to contact us.
BEST REGARDS,
Strategy Planning Team
I published initial news http://maritimebulletin.net/2017/07/22/polaris-troubled-again-vloc-stellar-young-engine-room-explosion/, based on information I received from my Korean colleague and correspondent, who’s providing me with information on maritime accidents in Korean waters for years. Personally, I’m only glad to find out, that initial news was a mistake. Somehow, I sympathize with Polaris Shipping, for all the troubles company experienced recently, and mostly, because Company was made a scapegoat by industry in general, and industry media in particular.
Voytenko Mikhail
July 27 2017