History
book

The keel of this OBO-Carrier (Ore, Bulk, Oil) was laid on 04.09.1980 by Bremer Vulkan AG Schiffbau & Maschinenfabrik, Bremen-Vegesack (hull No. 1016). Launched on 09.03.1981 and christened AUGUST THYSSEN by Mrs. Anita Zichy-Thyssen.

Delivered to City Corp. Monrovia on 02.07.1981 and registered under the flag of Liberia (official no: 7026, call sign: ELBC7). Management was with Suisse-Outremer Reederei AG Zurich. Departed the following day for Brazil.

Ran aground on the Mississippi River on 28.08.1983. However, only minor damage was sustained and the voyage could be continued.

According to a report from London dated 16.01.1984, the ship had suffered bottom damage in heavy weather.

Surveyed in dry dock in Skaramanga. After repairs, sailed for Suez on 12.02.1984.

On 25.01.1987, early in the morning, the AUGUST THYSSEN was sailing in ballast outbound on the Scheldt. After the fairway divides at Vlissingen, she was now sailing in the southern fairway with course towards Oostende. The motor tanker OLYMPIC DREAM (18'204/74) was anchored at Wielingen Zuid and received instructions from the pilot over the radio, but the Greeks misunderstood them. In any case, the OLYMPIC DREAM heaved anchor and moved directly in front of the AUGUST THYSSEN's bow. At 02:46, the AUGUST THYSSEN rammed the tanker on the starboard bow. The collision occurred about 2 nautical miles off Kruishoofd on the Dutch coast. The seamen on both vessels were all uninjured.  The tanker was carrying petrol, the leaking petrol immediately caught fire and burned for two days. The AUGUST THYSSEN suffered only minor damage, her stem was dented. She had to change her voyage and sailed to Rotterdam-Schiedam for repairs.

Since all politicians follow a "not in my backyard attitude", the two salvage companies Smit Tak, Rotterdam and URS, Antwerp were instructed to tow the tanker towards the open sea and extinguish the fire at the same time. So the burning tanker had to be towed through the busy shipping lanes towards the North Sea, at the same time taking care that the flames and smoke did not endanger the tugs and the people on board. Then it went north along the English coast and already the English authorities were protesting loudly not to approach their coast. After the fire was extinguished, the tanker could be towed to Rotterdam, covering a total of about 300 nautical miles. *)

This accident kept Suisse-Outremer busy for years, the Greeks took the case to the highest court in the Netherlands. The main blame fell on the Greeks, but the AUGUST THYSSEN was accused of not having given a warning with the typhoon (which probably would not have helped anyway).

Sold on 22.01.1988 "en bloc" with the two sister ships KASZONY and ALEXANDER for a reported 50 million USD to the Belgian Exmar N.V. Antwerp. Transferred to the owner company Farah Shipping Ltd (Exmar N.V. Antwerp) in Antwerp in April 1988. Management was handed over to Veba Poseidon Schiffahrt GmbH Hamburg. The ship remained under the flag of Liberia, but changed name to EL LOBO.
1989: Sold to Bassie Shipping Ltd (same management), Monrovia. Not renamed.

Resold on 13.04.1990 to the shipping company (management) C. H. Sörensen & Sönner A/S, Arendal, owner company: Ariel K/S, Arendal and renamed BALLENITA. Registered under Norwegian flag in the NIS registry (Norwegian International Registry, NIS registry no: N-00928, call sign: LAGF4). The delivery of the ship took place in St. Nazaire, France.

In Tampa Florida, purchased on 23.10.1995 by Bona Shipholding Ltd (same management), Oslo. New name BONA FAIR.

Ran aground on 06.07.1997 in Put van Terneuzen in position Lat. 51°23' N Long. 03°45 E, after the anchors had dragged. Brought afloat again on 07.07.1997 with tug assistance. The vessel was on a voyage from Mauritania to Ghent with iron ore. Sailed for Immingham on 10.07.1997.

Sold to Teekay Shipping Corporation, Nassau & Oslo in May 2000 and renamed TEEKAY FAIR. Still registered for Bona Shipholding Ltd. Oslo (Management: Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd., Vancouver).

14.07.2003: Sold to Swift Fair Ltd (Sterling Grace Corp, Glen Head NY, USA) (Management: Mayflower Shipmanagement Corp, Piraeus) (Norbulk (Hellas) SA, Piraeus), Monrovia. New name SWIFT-FAIR. Official No.: 11887. Call sign: A8BZ3.

In October 2003, the management changed to Eastwind (Hellas) SA, Piraeus.

Sold to a demolition company in Bangladesh and beached in Chittagong on 17.12.2008 (LDT Light weight tonnes 17,340 tonnes / Total reported scrap price 4'421'700 USD).      

*) See also YouTube Film „M/T OLYMPIC DREAM – Floating Inferno“ about this salvage action from Pim Korver Film & Video, Rotterdam on behalf of Smit Tak, Rotterdam and URS, Antwerp

Sources:

SwissShips August 2023