Cargo vessel · 1981–1986 · Cork, Ireland

MV Kowloon Bridge

Also known as Kowloon Bridge.

MV Kowloon Bridge is a Hong Kong cargo vessel built in 1981 and grounded in 1986; the wreck lies at 5–34 metres off Cork, Ireland.

She was a Bridge-class OBO carrier that developed structural cracks in heavy Atlantic weather in November 1986 while carrying 160,000 tonnes of iron ore from Canada. Refused entry to several ports, she broke free from tugs and drifted onto the Stags rocks off Toe Head in West Cork. All 28 crew were helicoptered to safety. Iron ore pellets blanket the site.

Marine life is prolific -- seals, large shoals of pollock, conger eels, and dense anemone growth thrive on the scattered hull sections, some of which rise more than 10 metres off the seabed.

Type
Cargo vesselHong Kong
Year built
1981Nippon Kokan, Japan
Lost
November 22nd, 1986Grounding
Casualties
0
Tonnage
87,589 GRTdiesel
Length
294 m44.3 m beam
Depth
5–34 m
Location
Cork, IrelandCeltic Sea

3 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 108 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost November 22nd, 1986 · Grounding · Cork, Ireland.

In November 1986, the Kowloon Bridge was sailing from Sept-Îles, Canada, to Glasgow with 160,000 tonnes of iron ore when she developed structural cracks in heavy Atlantic weather. She was refused entry to several ports due to the risk of her cargo. On 22 November she broke free from tugs attempting to tow her and drifted onto the Stags rocks off Toe Head, West Cork. All 28 crew were rescued by helicopter.

The ship broke apart over the following days, spilling oil that contaminated the coastline.

Built 1981 by Nippon Kokan, Japan; 5 years in service, also recorded as Kowloon Bridge. Lost November 22nd, 1986, grounding.

0lives lost on November 22nd, 1986.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Quebec to Hunterston, Scotland
Destination
Hunterston
Cargo
Iron ore

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 5–34 m, on rock.

Intactness

Broken into multiple large sections spread across a wide area of seabed. The bow and stern sections are identifiable. Much of the hull plating has collapsed. Iron ore pellets from the cargo are scattered everywhere.

Some sections rise 10+ metres off the seabed.

Notable Features

  • Massive hull sections rising from seabed
  • Iron ore pellet cargo scattered across site
  • Engine room machinery
  • Enormous propeller
  • Dense marine life including seal colony

Additional Details16 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
Hong Kong
Flag
Hong Kong
Builder
Nippon Kokan, Japan
Propulsion
Diesel
Loss date
November 22nd, 1986
Draught
25 m
Tonnage (DWT)
169,469
Length of wreck
294 m
Latitude
51.48° N
Longitude
9.23° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
War grave
No
Protected
Not recorded
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken
Seabed
Rock

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.

A further 4 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MV Kowloon Bridge?

MV Kowloon Bridge is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Cork, Ireland, at 34 metres. MV Kowloon Bridge ran aground and was wrecked in 1986.

How deep is the MV Kowloon Bridge?

MV Kowloon Bridge lies at 5 to 34 metres, The Stags rocks, off Toe Head, West Cork.

How did the MV Kowloon Bridge sink?

MV Kowloon Bridge ran aground and was wrecked on November 22nd, 1986, off Cork, Ireland. No lives were lost.