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Esso Maracaibo (II) - (1959-1976)
1964 Collision.
Tanker "Esso Maracaibo" and wrecked bridge At 11:45 pm on the 6th of April 1964 the supertanker
"Esso Maracaibo", loaded with 236,000 barrels of crude oil hit pier # 31 of the 2-year-old General
Rafael Urdaneta Bridge that connects Maracaibo with much of the rest of Venezuela.
While navigating the canal, after having been loaded with crude, the vessel lost steering due to a major
electrical failure onboard. The collision with the bridge structure followed within a few minutes. A 259-meter
section of the bridge roadway fell into the water with a portion coming to rest across the tanker just a few
feet from the ship's superstructure. Four vehicles drove off into the void left by the collapsed sections and
seven lives in the vehicles were lost.
Amazingly, there was no loss of life or serious injury on the tanker, and no explosion or fire. No oil spill occurred.
( Photo thanks to Toby Young ).
"Esso Winchester" (left) with the "Esso Maracaibo" (right) once again in Aurba 1967.
Build in 1959 "Esso Maracaibo", further history unknown.
Additional Info by Starke & Schell Registers :
ESSO MARACAIBO - 1959
24727 GRT / 35601 DWT - for Creole Petroleum Corp. - VE
Measurements : 198.1 / 189.0 / 27.7 Tanker, 1 Steamturbine, speed 15 knots
Build by Hitachi Zosen : Innoshima (#3824)
1964 Added new section, Length 212.2 / 203.0 / 24088grt / 40925dwt.
1976 LAGOVEN MARACAIBO (Lagoven S.A. - VE)
Broken Up at National Ship Demolition : Kaohsiung : Arrived 20 June 1985.
"Lagoven Maracaibo", ex. "Esso Maracaibo", awaiting for towing to Kaosiung, Taiwan, for breaking up.
She was towed in tandem with the "Dorios", ex. "Pappas Thessaloniki", from Venezuela to Taiwan.
Some photos of a model of the "Esso Maracaibo", made by KASAI MODEL SHIP YARD.
Model of the "Esso Maracaibo".