The "TK Bremen" ran aground in the night of Dec 16, 2011, in a storm that swept the southern coast of Brittany, 100 meters from the Erdeven beach, plague de Kerminhy, between Lorient and the Quiberon peninsula, which is about ten miles from Auray.
The ship did not carrie cargo. Ruptured tanks were causing pollution of the shore, the oil was forming a layer of 1 km x 5 m heading to the beach. Booms were to be deployed to try to contain the pollution, and the authorities were preparing a pumping operation to drain the settling tanks which contained 180 tonnes of fuel and 40 tonnes of diesel. The nineteen crew members were evacuated by a helicopter of the naval aviation base of Lann-Bihoué which was alerted at 3 a.m. The "TK Bremen" had left the port of Lorient on Dec 15 afternoon to a position north of the island of Groix to wait for weather improvement before resuming the journey to England. But in gale force winds the anchors dragged. The master tried to reach a more sheltered area, but the vessel began to drift and finally requested assistance of the Regional Operational Centre for Surveillance and Rescue (Cross) Etel. The port tug of Lorient could not help due to the inclement weather, and two hours later the "TK Bremen" had run aground.
Casualty may be cut up on beach
According to a French report, it does not seem unlikely that the "TK Bremen" which was left moreless high and dry when the tide receded, may finally have to be cut up on the beach, also regarding the severe bottom and hull damage the ship has suffered in the grounding. The damage has left a large crack in the hull and it is likely that the ship's structure is not in a condition that may allow the vessel to be refloated.
