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Daily Vessel Casualty, Piracy & News Report

 

 

Edited By Christoph Wahner, Esq.

 

 

 

The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker. It's dangerous out there. Buy the cargo insurance, before the loss!

 

 

Many container vessel incidents go unreported until some complaint by cargo interests. Please report events and send photos to us in confidence. Our reporters remain anonymous upon request.

 

 

Drop us a line and we will properly inform the industry.

 

 

Casualty Reports archive for years past

 

 

4 2012 REPORTS ARE BELOW













 

 


VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR DECEMBER 2012


 

49-ft F/V Selfjord collided with ice in Tromney Sound and was run ashore. The vessel sustained a hole in the hull, which was repaired when a diver plugged the hole with 17 kg of butter allowing the vessel to be towed to Arendal on 27-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

1,814-ton Russian flagged long liner Akanett (IMO: 9055216, built 1993), issued a distress signal when the engine failed and became disabled and started to drift off Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese Coast Guard has dispatched a salvage vessel 27-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

F/V Ashwil from Mangalore capsized with 7 men aboard, 23-nm from shore of Someshwara, on Dec. 27. The vessel hit wreckage and started taking on water. The 7 fishermen were rescued by the fishing vessel Pundalika. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

The ferry Frisco ran aground in Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina on Dec. 27 and was stuck for 4.5 hours. U.S. Coast Guard assisted until the ferry became free. The ferry had 35 passengers, 19 cars and 6 six crew aboard. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

61,231-gt British flagged roro carrier Toronto (IMO: 9302205) and 75,251-gt Singapore flagged rorocarrier Salome (IMO: 9302205) rocked and then shifted away from their berths due to high winds at Baltimore on Dec. 26. Lines were snapped and a crane damaged by one on the vessels. The ships were carrying, heavy machinery, farm equipment, and other vehicles. Tugs responded to pull the vessels back in to correct position. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

Spanish registered barge Larvik Rock (MMSI-Nr.: 225800400) was moored in Schiedam after capsizing while carrying rocks and stones in stormy weather on Dec. 27 while en route from Norway. It was towed to Rotterdam-Europort for repairs. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

UPDATE>>Cyprus flagged cargo M/V Corvus J, 6370 gt (IMO: 9262895) docked in Wilton Harbour in Schiedem for repair work to its bow. Hull plating and parts of the bulwark were removed. It collided with the Baltic Ace on Dec. 5. 21-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

14,619-gt German container M/V Renate Schulte (IMO: 9057147) was holed by her own anchor in bad weather on Dec. 21. The anchor came loose while crossing the Atlantic from Lisboa and tied up in Halifax. The 4x4 hole flooded a bow thruster compartment. Repair work is underway now. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

28-gt French F/V Aventur Vad II -BR 909458 (CS FGD7677) broke loose from its mooring at the Port of Korejou due to bad weather on Dec. 27. At low tide 5 people went aboard to dewater and refloat the gillnetter. Tide and weather conditions made recovery impossible. A French Navy Helicopter was dispatched to rescue the 5 people aboard. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

10,055-dwt Russian flagged reefer vessel Korsakov (IMO: 8326113, built 1983) suffered rudder failure and started to drift 30-nm off the Kamchatka Peninsula on Dec. 28. A distress signal was issued. The vessel was headed to fishing vessels in the Okhotsk Sea from Busan to collect frozen fish. Trawler Island Sakhalin is standing by and salvage tug Predanniy. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

110-m, 2,365-ts German flagged self-propelled tank barge Jeandine (EU-No: 4803290; CS DH2708) suffered engine failure sailing downstream on the Rhine River near Assmannhausen. The engine failure was due to gear damage. The ship was stopped by emergency anchoring off the rocks of Leisten outside the fairway. The vessel was towed to Mainz on 26-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-12-2012]

 

German ferry Finkenwerder, CS: DG 3250, MMSI: 211437300 ran aground on the Elbe River in the Muhlenberger Hole during service to Hamburg. It happened within the fairway. The master and a single passenger were not injured and taken aboard a pleasure vessel. The captain waited for the flood to get the vessel refloated on 20-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

German Island Supplier Harle Gatt, 291 gt (IMO: 9212814), ran aground en route to Wangerooge-Harlesiel 500 meters from the harbor entrance since the tide was extremely low. The crew remained on board and waited for the evening flood to refloat the ship from the mud on 21-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

German ferry Frisia VII, 363 gt (IMO: 8891807) ran aground a half mile from the Juistabout Harbor entrance. Tides were 1 meter below normal. Lifeboat Woltera was called to pull the ship free but failed. After the next flood, the ship using her engines and being pulled by the Woltera, was refloated and docked on 20-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

Dutch Expedition ship Plancius, 3434 gt (IMO: 7432044) drifted for several hours 270 km off the southern tip of Argentina while returning from Antartica . A possible fault in a control box caused engine failure. With the replacement of a 200 kilo switch, the engines were restarted then continued on. None of the 92 passengers and crew were in danger on 21-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

German registered self-propelled barge Thorsten ran over a beacon, then on to a crib in Bijlandsch Canal at Tolkamer. It suffered a leak and firefighters pumped out the water. The beacon was swept away after being hit. The Thorsten was carrying a cargo of coal on 22-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

2,452-gt Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V Telamon (IMO: 9390147) that collided with the German ferry Nordenham docked at Wismar berth 9 on 22-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

2,472-gt Russian flagged trawler Okhotnik (IMO: 8325690), caught fire while docked in Vladivostok port. Five crew left the ship, but one was hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning. City fire fighting teams arrived to put out the fire. No other details were available on 23-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

5,515-gt Hong Kong registered Han Splendour (IMO: 9009102), had the crew of 17 abandon ship for unknown reasons 165 nautical miles east of Batan Island in the Philippines. The Korean Coast Guard also issued an alert. The Philippine Coast guard launched a search for the crew in response to the alert. The crew stated the ship sank on 22-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

2,840-gt Gibraltar flagged cargo M/V Miramar (IMO: 9136204) which was arrested in Brake left en route to Oxelosound after deficiencies were removed and the ban lifted on 23-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

2,595-gt British cargo M/V Scot Isles (IMO: 9243930), suffered a significant starboard list after leaving the Port of Riga, bound for Rochester. The list occurred between Gotland and Latvia. Parts of the cargo had shifted in heavy seas. A Mayday was radioed. A helicopter was dispatched from Visby, but the Master decided that the crew would remain onboard and proceed to Latvia under their own power. Swedish and Latvian Coast Guards monitored the ship on 24-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

23-m long German Rhine ferry Felix (EU-No: 04304880; CS: DA5135) was struck by a barge running downstream near St. Goarshausen. Damage was limited. The incident was investigated by police and determined to be an accident due to navigational error on the part of the barge master on 23-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

65-ft fishing vessel the Five J’s grounded in the vicinity of Brenton Reef, near Woods Hole, Mass. The vessel lost power and its’ anchor unable to hold. It is unclear why the vessel lost power on 23-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

Unidentified 98-m freighter sank after teetering, due to strong winds near the mouth of the Yangtze River. The freighter was carrying mineral sands. The crew of 15 was rescued by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration on 23- Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

3,000 ton Malaysian oil tanker Onnekas One ran aground 300 meters off the shore of Thua Thien-Hue Province. The ship was damaged by fire and explosions while in international waters and then drifted toward shore 25-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

The Mobek sank after striking an obstacle near Malukum not far from thre capital city of Kinshasa, on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 100 people are being searched for, 200 people survived and 9 confirmed dead. The ship was carrying sveral tons of merchandise and struck the obstacle early into its journey on 23 Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

2,591-gt, 76-m Dutch barge Corsica (EU-No: 2325234) got stuck on the Maas at Maastricht and threatened to strike the Weir Borgharen. The Corsica was carrying 2200 tons of fertilizer, while being dislodged by its’ pusher tug, when a strong current pushed the barge to where it got stuck. Three tugs were needed to pull the barge free to calmer water. The barge is now moored at Beatrix 24-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

285-gt Bahamas flaged tug Smit Schelde (IMO: 9402433) sustained severe collision damage to the wheelhouse after assisting another vessel in the Port of Rotterdam. There were no injuries on 23-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

995-gt Norwegian ferry Kragero (IMO: 9331373) ran aground at Schweigaardsholmen, with 3 crew, 11 passengersm and 3 cars on board. The ferry took on water, but there were no injuries. Poor visibility is blamed for the grounding 24-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

332-gt Norwegian express ferry Floyfjeli (IMO: 9563172) collided with a quay in Tromso while about to dock. It headed toward the pier at great speed. The catamaran had to back up and dock on the other side of the floating pier, as the other mooring was destroyed. The ferry suffered only slight damage on 25- Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-12-2012]

 

110-m Dutch flagged tank barge Ben (CS: PB2662) struck a railway bridge over IJssel near Zutphen on 19-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

8,879-gt Liberian flagged cargo M/V Southern Bay (IMO: 9152181) spilled oil in the Port of Oranjestad in Aruba on 18-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

5,269-gt Chinese flagged bulk or cement carrier Yi He 6 Hao (IMO: 1234567, MMSI 413551970) ran aground off Ningbo on 15-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

516-gt Bahamas flagged offshore vessel VOS Sailor (IMO-NR 8104113) was damaged by wave impact, killing one aboard, on 15-Dec. [From our senior correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

13,066-gt Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V BBC Bunde (IMO: 9161211) suffered engine failure at Kiel Canal on 16-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

6,083-gt British flagged cable layer Seven Navica (IMO: 9177856) caught fire in Fredrikshaven on 19-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

16,769-dwt Bangladesh flagged general cargo vessel Banglar Mukh (IMO: 8710039) suffered engine room fire on 14-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

Colombian freighter Claudia Alejandra sank after engine failure and drifting off the coast of Colombia on 16-Dec. 14 were rescued and 8 reported dead. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

36-m Moldova flagged general cargo vessel Santa (MMSI: 214181815) grounded off the coast of Rethymnon, Greece. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

75 ft pilot vessel Sabine Pilot II grounded Texas side of Sabine Jetties on Dec-18. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

12,085-dwt, 938-TEU Singapore flagged container vessel Capitaine Tasman (IMO: 9369674) was grounded by Cyclone Evan in Fiji on 17-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

23,360-dwt Panama flagged Bulk carrier Stanford (IMO 8217257, built 1983), was grounded by Cyclone Evan in Fiji on 17-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

92,198-gt Danish container M/V Sofie Maersk (IMO: 9146479) suffered a chemical spill on board on Dec-17. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

32-ft fishing vessel High Pockets struck a rock and sank near Heceta Island on 14-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

110-m Dutch flagged tank barge Ben (CS: PB2662) struck a railway bridge over IJssel near Zutphen on 19-Dec. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

2,990-gt Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V Svartfoss suffered engine failure on Dec-14. [From our Senior Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-12-2012]

 

290-m passenger cruise liner Costa Pacifica (built 2009) suffered minor damage when it collided with a berthing structure in the port of Marseille, France on Dec 11. Repairs to a several-meters-long scratch above the vessel's water line were completed, and the vessel has continued on its Mediterranean voyage after a one-day delay. [14-12-12]

 

The ban on 3,806-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Regina 1 (IMO 9071064) was lifted on Dec 13. After the vessel’s deficiencies were removed and the requested repairs were carried out, the ship left the Borssumer Quay in Emden on Dec 13. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

1,512-gt Barbados-flagged cargo M/V Islay Trader (IMO 9030474) suffered steering problems and ran aground at Lilla Hasselön between Orust and Uddevalla on Nov 26. The vessel, which had been anchored off Frederikshavn since Nov 28, was refloated and finally entered port and docked at the East Quay on Dec 12. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

8,963-gt Liberian-flagged cargo M/V HR Recommendation (IMO: 9277292) lost propulsion and ran aground in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina on Dec 11. The Coast Guard responded immediately and a commercial salvage company successfully refloated the vessel; it was moored at the Columbus Street Terminal in Charleston on Dec 12. No spills were reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

Tug William E. Porter (MMSI-No:366967610, pushing three fully loaded barges to South Point, Ohio, struck The Hot Metal Bridge in Pittsburgh on Dec 12. The vessel was able to pull away from the structure and continue on its voyage. The bridge was inspection and determined to be sound. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

9,082-gt German pelagic trawler Maartje Theadora (IMO 9182801), with a crew of 57, was detained by a French Marine Affairs patrol boat at the port of Cherbourg on Dec 11. 2,000 tons of 3980 tons of fish on board did not meet European standards. The vessel has been diverted to Cherbourg where it remains moored. The operator is facing a heavy fine. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

4,980-gt Bahamas-flagged cargo M/V Clipper Falcon (IMO: 9076325), en route from Sierra Leone to Amsterdam, suffered rudder damage and ran aground south of Fort Island off the lock system of Ijmuiden on Dec 12. The vessel was quickly refloated and towed away, and later berthed at Kloosterboer. The crew of 15 remained uninjured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

2,545-gt British cargo M/V Beaumont (IMO: 9319416), en route to load a cargo of 3,500 tons of wood pellets at Avilés in Spain, ran onto the rocks of Cabo Negro on Dec 12. The vessel suffered a dent on the starboard side and a leak in the bow, but no oil spill or injuries were reported. Rescue crews responded immediately and the vessel resumed its voyage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-12-12]

 

4,868-dwt cargo Russian-flagged M/V Melody (IMO 8216928), enroute from Vladivostok, Japan sea, to Korsakov, Sakhalinaground ran aground on Sakhalin Island coast close to Krilyon Point, southernmost tip of Sakhalin, in Tatarskiy Strait, on Dec. 7. No breaches or imminent danger to vessel or crew reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

Floating crane Tuzla, under tow, allided with anchored 37,389-dwt German chemical tanker Baltic Chief I (IMO 9208124) in a Kerch Strait, Black Sea on Dec. 5. The crane drifted onto the tanker after the towline broke. No serious damage or injuries reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

570-gt U.S. tug Phyllis Dunlap suffered fire during transit from Seattle to Honolulu approximately 69 miles northwest of Maui on Dec. 5. The tug experienced a disabling engine room fire that resulted in a complete loss of propulsion. The captain activated the engine room's fixed fire suppression system, which was believed to have extinguished the fire. All six crewmembers were reportedly safe and accounted for with no medical concerns. Coast Guard aircrews aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter were launched from Air Station Barbers Point to assist. The crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island was diverted to render assistance as well. A nearby vessel, the Mahi Mahi, was also requested to assist with the response. After assessing the damage, the Phyllis Dunlap crew was advised to stay aboard their vessel. A Sause Brothers assist tug, the Kokua, arrived and established a tow. At the time of the fire, the tug was towing the barge Westward Trader, which collided with the tug when its engines were disabled. The damage to both tug and barge was superficial. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

90,884-gt Italian bulkcarrier Giuseppe Lembo (IMO: 9047441) was escorted into the dock at Prince Rupert harbour on Dec 6 for major maintenance after a crack in the hull was observed by the crew during routine inspection on its way to Prince Rupert. It was expected that repairs were take 5 to 10 days depending on what was discovered during a closer inspection of the hull. The ship was the largest to dock at Northland Terminal. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

26,060-gt Vietnamese flagged container vessel Nosco Victory (IMO-Nr.:9123831) saved 40 shipwrecked people off Bangladesh while the vessel was sailing from Bangladesh to Singapore on Dec. 5, 2012. On its voyage to Singapore to take on oil on December 5, the Nosco Victory, owned by the Northern Shipping Joint Stock Company under the Vietnam Maritime Corporation, found the victims and rescued them. The 40 foreigners were among the more than 200 passengers of the Bangladesh-flagged Nayou, which sank for unknown reasons on December 4 while sailing from Bangladesh to Malaysia. After the Nosco Victory reported the sunken boat to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Center (Vietnam MRCC), the agency contacted search and rescue agencies in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and Myanmar for coordination in rescue efforts. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

A Nordic American Tankers Limited vessel was detained on or about December 5 int he U.S. after the U.S. Coast Guard reportedly uncovered a "magic pipe." [7-12-12]

 

Car carrier Baltic Ace was in collision with container vessel Corvus J off the coast of Rotterdam on Dec. 5. The Baltic Ace sank within 15 minutes. The Baltic Ace was carrying 1,400 new cars, mostly Mitsubishis, from Japan and Thailand. Human error is the anticipated cause. Eleven of the Baltic Ace's 24 crew managed to scramble into four life rafts before the ship went down and were winched to safety by helicopters. Others were picked up by the Corvus J. The bodies of five sailors were recovered, the Dutch coastguard said. Two of the dead sailors were found in survival suits designed to protect their wearers fully from the elements. Six crew reported missing. Significant bow damage to the Corvus J reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged ship, Volgo Balt 199, with 11 Ukrainians, 1 Russian and a load of coal, was sailing to the Turkish port of Antalya from Russia when it sank in the Black Sea off the coast of Istanbul on Dec. 4. Search and rescue teams saved four members of the cargo ship, recovered 1 body and were searching for 7 other crewmen when one of the rescue boats hit rocks and also sank, killing 2 of the rescuers, Turkey's Transport Minister reported. 3 other rescue team members were also missing. [7-12-12]

 

M/V Arklow Meadow, operated by Arklow Shipping and carrying grain, suffered toxic gas leak at Warrenpoint Harbour, UK on Dec. 5. The incident was attributed to packets of aluminium phosphide --intended to control rodents -- becoming wet. Almost 20 people were treated as a result of the toxic gas leak. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said they had been exposed to aluminium phosphide (AIP) gas. [7-12-12]

 

Singapore-Tanjong Pinang ferry M/V Sindo 31, operated by Sindo Ferry (ex-Penguin Ferry), ran aground with 97 passengers off Lobam island on Dec. 5. Passengers and crew were stranded for approximately 2 hours. The vessel was not damaged. One injury reported. [7-12-12]

 

2,164-gt Danish icebreaker Thorbjørn (IMO 7904504) suffered boiler fire while docked at Frederikshavn on Dec. 2. The vessel was without crew at the time of the incident, but vessel damage reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 7-12-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR NOVEMBER 2012


 

5,441 gt Dutch gas tanker Coral Leaf, (IMO: 9404625), being enroute Antwerp-Porvoo allided with the tail of the old lock in Brunsbüttel and caused considerable damage at the construction on Nov 25. The ship proceeded after investigations at 1.15 p.m. and finally passed the locks in Kiel eastbound. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-11-12]

 

2,452 gt Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V Telamon, (IMO: 9390147), coming from El Ferrol, was in collision with the ferry Nordenham on the Weser at Nordenham around midday in dense fog with visibility below 100 metres on Nov 24. The Nordenham had just left the Ferry terminal Blexen. One woman was injured. and came to Hospital. The Ferry went to repairs in the fishing port Bremerhaven. The Telamon also hit an anchoring dredger after the first accident. It docked at the Stromquay in Bremerhaven, the local police launched an investigation.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-11-12]

 

2,061 gt Cyprus flagged cargo M/V Katharina Siemer, (IMO: 8509820), was in collision with the coaster Angon, 2,945 gt (IMO: 9320635), on the North West Anchorage off Brunsbüttel while enroute Sczeczin-Le Legue on Nov 24. The ship was breached at starboard side and suffered water ingress. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-11-12]

 

NVietnam marine police on Nov. 22, 2012 detained 11 pirates who had attacked and commandeered the Malaysian-flagged tanker Zafirah, (IMO: 9016387), forcing nine sailors to leave the ship in a life raft off Vietnam’s southern Vung Tau city. Ordered by the Department, five police boats were deployed to track down the ship in distress. On November 20, the police found out that the ship had entered Vietnam’s territorial waters and changed its directions continuously to avoid detection. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-11-12]

 

4,723 gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Cecilia, (IMO: 9433353), allided with the Sluiskil Bridge which was severely damaged on Nov 23. The vessel had sailed from Terneuzen short before midnight and was enroute Ghent when it struck the bridge head on the east side at Zaamslag. The system to fasten the bascule bridge was damaged. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-11-12]

 

Five crew men were asphyxiated by leaking gas aboard the Indian LPG-tanker Maharshi Krishnatreya in the Arabian Sea Sea on Nov 5, 2012. The ship was en route from Mangalore to Dubai when the incident occurred in the compressor room of the vessel. The ship's chief officer, a gas engineer and four other seamen were attempting to repair a damaged gas pipe in the compressor when they were overcome by the gas. Five persons have succumbed. The sixth victim was in serious condition and airlifted to Porbandar by a Seaking helicopter of the Indian Navy for medical treatment. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-11-12]

 

2,956-gt Portuguese-flagged cargo M/V Silves, (IMO: 9360489), which was docked in remerhaven since its arrival from Flushing on Aug 28 has now been detained at the Schifffahrts- and Speditionsgesellschaft Meyer in the Kaiser Port as the owners are bankrupt. The fate of the crew of seven is yet unclear. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-11-12]

 

27,920 gt Bermudas-flagged residential platform Floatel Superor (IMO: 8769896), started to list in the Norwegian Sea approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Kristiansund and 30 kilometers west of Draugen in the morning of Nov 7. It was just before 4:00 a.m. that one of the floating elements of the "Floatel Superior" began to take on water resulting in the platform to lurch four degrees. The stability was re-established by pumping water into the other side. Statoil, however, started the evacuation of the 374 workers on board with five helicopters. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-11-12]

 

Two people have been rescued from the 65-ft-fv Gulf Harvester that caught fire about five kilometres off Ferryland on the Southern Shore on Nov 7. The men were picked up from a liferaft by a local fishing vessel, the Amanda and Brothers. A Cormorant helicopter from the 103 Rescue Squadron was dispatched but turned back when the men were picked up. [[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-11-12]

 

On Nov 7 the 40-ft-F/V Boom Boom ran aground on Oahu causing coral damage. It got stuck about midnight on the reef near the Ahu O Laka sandbar off Kaneohe Bay.The hull is listing to one side and that it is flooded. The owner is working with a salvage company on a plan to remove the boat to prevent further damage to coral. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-11-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR OCTOBER 2012


 

Swedish-flagged lifeboat Österskär (MMSI-No.: 265581920; CS 4742410) of the Sea Rescue Society suffered a fire in the engine room. The crew of three got help from a nearby water taxi that took on board the crew and towed the Österskär to Resarö where the fire was extinguished. No persons were injured, the damage to the 11-m-boat was unclear. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

NOn Oct 24 the Dutch warship HNMLS Rotterdam spotted a dhow close to the Somali shoreline. A boarding team was routinely dispatched to inspect the vessel. As the boarding party neared the, the Dutch sailors took sustained gunfire from both the dhow and fighters on shore. The boarding party returned fire and very quickly the dhow ignited in flames and those aboard jumped in the water to escape the blaze. One person aboard the dhow was killed. The Rotterdam's crew rescued 25 men from the ocean, but the rescue effort proved dangerous as the gunmen on shore continued to fire at both the boarding party and the Rotterdam. None of the Rotterdam's crew was injured in the incident, though the rigid-hulled boat the boarding party was using sustained dmage. The suspected pirates received medical attention and are now being detained aboard the Rotterdam, which serves as the flagship for NATO's counter-piracy task force off the waters of Somalia, known as "Ocean Shield." [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

Ship traffic on the IJssel had to be stopped after the 2,048-ts German-flagged self propelled barge Kaiserberg, (EU-No.: 4401090), was in collision with the Dutch-flagged barge Anna on Oct 25. The Kaiserberg had suffered power loss, got stuck on the right river bank and drifted perpendicular to the river causing the Anna, which was carrying a cargo of salt and was sailing river upstream, to run into it. The Kaiserberg which was damaged at the stern was loaded with 1,200 tons raw feed. The Anna suffered bow damage. Tugs were called to refloat the Kaiserberg and pull it to Eefde. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

44,307 gt French-flagged ferry Napoleon Bonaparte, (IMO: 9104835), broke lose from its moorings in the port of Marseille and drifted against the dock in a strong winds on Oct 27. There were no passengers on board. Divers were to try to patch the leak as soon as possible.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

1,442-ts self propelled, German-flagged tank barge Leila, (EU-No.: 04800460; CS: DB2077), which was underway from Duisburg to Minden with a cargo of 1200 tons oil on the Mittelland Canal between Hille and Lübbecke-Gehlenbeck, suffered a fire on Oct 24. The fire rescue attacked the blaze which gutted the whole stern area from both canal sides with 70 men. The tanks were so far not affected. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

1253-ts German-flagged, self propelled barge Eljo, (EU-No.: 04601590; CS DD5768), allided with a bridge on the Salzgitter Canal near the Üfinger lock on Oct 26. TThe ship had unloaded coal in Beddingen and struck the bridge at Üfingen when passing underneath. The captain was severely injured and had to be freed from the debris of the wheelhouse by the fire rescue. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

The 180-foot, three-masted ship -- a replica of one made famous in the film "Mutiny on the Bounty" -- with 17 people aboard sprung aleak in the night of Oct 29. Coast Guard plane has since made contact with the ship which is taking on water and is without propulsion. The crew abandoned the ship into 18-foot waves and 40 mile per hour winds off the North Carolina Coast. The coast guard is working to rescue everyone that jumped overboard. At least one fatality confirmed. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

73400-dwt Bahamas-flagged Greek tanker Orfeas was hijacked off Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Oct 7. The Orfeas was to offload two shipments of gasoline on a lightering tanker Admiral L, one was successfully completed, but when Admiral L arrived to the Orfeas position for a second lot, Greek tanker disappeared, reported security consultants AKE. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

The Coast Guard rescued 14 people from life rafts in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, N.C., on Oct 29, and two remain missing. Coast Guard notified of vessel taking on water by boat owner. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

Icelandic-flagged 15-m-trawler Leithe (CS: LG6181; MMSI-No.: 251520640) ran aground north of Olaholmen in Finnsnesrenna on Oct 30. The police were notified of the stranding by 7 p.m. The crew stated that they will wait for high tide to see if they come off with own power. Police planned to take a routine blood alcohol test.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

1329-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled tank barge Paul Burmester, (EU-No.: 04800220), entered the Brunsbüttel locks of the Kiel Canal unlit on Oct 30. This caused the local police to board the ship and remarked, that the captain was drunk with a BAC of 1,68. The ship which carried a cargo of 1208 tons diesel fuel was immediately arrested and was ordered to be moved from the locks back into the inner port of Brunsbüttel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

After nearly a day going adrift in the sea, 35 people on an oil rig near Bach Long Vi Island (Hai Phong city) were brought ashore by a helicopter on Oct 28. The GSF Key Hawaii rig with 35 technicians (21 Vietnamese and 14 foreigners) was separated from its tugboat in the typhoon Son Tinh. Because of powerful waves and high winds, the tugboat could not access the rig. All 35 people on the rig were transported to the Cat Bi airport by noon of October 29. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

4704-gt 103-m-Vietnamese-flagged cargo ship Saigon Queen, (IMO: 9364046), with a crew of 22 on board, sank off Sri Lanka on Oct 30. Eighteen crewmembers have been rescued while the four others, including the captain, remain missing. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

Powerful storm surges from Superstorm Sandy caused the 712-gt water tanker John B. Cadell (IMO: 5173204) to run aground in Staten Island, N.Y., in the night of Oct 30, 2012. The front third of the tanker grounded on Front Street. The tanker was moored about a mile away at the Sea Knight Marina when Sandy’s force pushed it toward land. No one was on the tanker and no one was hurt. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

A Homer man was severely burned at a local boat yard early Oct 30 morning after Homer police say he threatened to commit suicide aboard a commercial fishing vessel doused with accelerants, negotiating with officers before the boat abruptly ignited. Homer police were informed shortly after 8 p.m. Oct 29 that the 58-year-old man had boarded a vessel at the Northern Enterprises boat yard, later identified as the Slava II. Responding officers found the vessel coated with an unknown accelerant and negotiated with the man by phone for over four hours, while Homer Volunteer Fire Department members remained on standby. At approximately 1 a.m. officers observed an explosion and a subsequent fire on the vessel. Shortly thereafter the man emerged from the vessel suffering various degrees of burn injuries. Medics took the man to the South Peninsula Hospital, while firefighters and Kachemak Emergency Services Department personnel responded to the fire aboard the fishing vessel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 31-10-12]

 

NPIRACY UPDATE>> Somali piracy has fallen to a three-year low because of co-ordinated action by international navies and the enlistment of armed security guards by shipping companies. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports that 70 attacks were reported by ships in the first 9 months of this year, compared with 199 incidents in the first 9 months of 2011. From July to September only one ship reported an attempted attack by Somali pirates, as opposed to 36 incidents in the same three month period last year. A recent report by the Associated Press from Hobyo on central Somalia's Indian Ocean coastline painted a vivid picture of a criminal industry in decline. "The empty whiskey bottles and overturned, sand-filled skiffs that litter this once-bustling shoreline are signs that the heyday of Somali piracy may be over," it noted. "Most of the prostitutes are gone, the luxury cars repossessed. Pirates talk more about catching lobsters than seizing cargo ships." Pirates off Somalia are still holding 11 vessels for ransom with 167 crew members as hostages on board. 21 more kidnapped crew members are being held on land. Meanwhile piracy is on the increase on the other side of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. The IMB said there had been 34 incidents between January and September, rising from 30 in the same period last year. [23-10-12]

 

3,159-gt Cyprus flagged tank M/V Amber 1 (IMO: 9174713) was in collision with the 2,994-gt German dredger Wilhelm Krüger (IMO: 8650124), while leaving the new Northern lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel eastbound on Oct 17. The dredger suffered scratches, no damage at the tanker reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-10-12]

 

369-gt Danish dredger B.G. Stone 1 (IMO:7236311) capsized off Tørresø Beach by Fyens Hoved on Oct 20. The crew of four men were rescued by an Air Force rescue helicopter from a raft. The Marine Guard has placed booms around the wreck. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-10-12]

 

8,273-gt Cyprus flagged container M/V Iris Bolten (IMO: 9369007) suffered an engine explosion which caused a blackout in the Kiel Canal on Oct 22. Two tugs were ordered in Brunsbüttel to take the ship in tow. Traffic was allowed to pass the casualty slowly. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-10-12]

 

38,500-dwt Nord Nightingale (built 2008) saved the crew of 19 of a Super Puma helicopter that crash-landed in the North Sea off Scotland on oct. 22. The helicopter was flying workers to a rig 86 miles from Aberdeen. No one was injured in the emergency landing. [23-10-12]

 

6,247-dwt Shinline 8 (ex Aroma, built 1990) confirmed sunk off Korea last week. 5 seafarer deaths confirmed. All 15 crew on board were rescued by the Korean coastguard but the rescue vessel capsized in waves of up to 4 meters. The coastguard crew and 10 of the Shinline’s seafarers were rescued by another coastguard ship but two Chinese and three Filipino seafarers died. [23-10-12]

 

Reefer vessel Ming Yang suffered fire 150 miles off Okinawa, Japan on Oct. 20. Japan’s coast guard rescued all 64 Chinese crew; 3 suffered minor injuries. The reefer is operated by Zhoushan Haibao Transport of China. [23-10-12]

 

Dutch 25-m-passenger M/V Boschwad (MMSI-No.: 244710285; CS PH6074) ran aground with 70 persons on board near Schiermonnikoog while approaching the marina of Schiermonnikoog on Oct 14 the. The lifeboat Koning Willem I of the KNRM-station Schiermonnikoog was called to assist. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 17-10-12]

 

194 gt German combi tug Falckenstein (IMO: 8917704 ) ran aground off the Reventlou Pier in Kiel on Oct 15 around 6 p.m. The ship which was serving the Förde-route and was carrying passengers got stuck with slow speed due to engine trouble which kept it from being stopped in time. The master passed the pier and ran aground in a short distance of the sea promenade. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 17-10-12]

 

Finnish anti pollution vessel Roope (CS: OO22723, MMSI-No.: 230998890) almost sank east of Jurmo on Oct 16 short past 5 p.m. The bow ramp of the 16-m-landing craft which transported garbage succumbed to the fierce waves, and waves gushed into the ship. The Coast Guard was alerted at 5.30 p.m. when the situation was already very serious. The crew of threewas ready to abandon ship, but was at the last moment able to change direction and steer into the protected harbor on Nötö. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 17-10-12]

 

An unidentified barge capsized off the Harwich coast spilling its 20,000 tonnes cargo overboard. The British tug Hibernia (IMO: 7719686) radioed Thames Coastguard for help at 2am on Oct 7 October 7 after a 122 metre long barge it was towing had capsized. The barge’s cargo of granite blocks fell into the sea. The Coastguard Duty Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer are monitoring the situation. The Hibernia and the barge, are awaiting a survey vessel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 17-10-12]

 

The South African whale watching boat Miroshga capsized at Bakleiplaas, between Duiker Island and Duiker Point near Hout Bay, at around 14:00 LT Oct 13 with 38 passengers and crew on board. Volunteer rescue service, Cape Town Rescue Service, Police and Police Dive Unit, ambulances and quite a number of other services and people responded to the news of the disaster, and rushed to the scene. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 17-10-12]

 

1,862-gt Eems Spring, (IMO: 9503524), captain was found to be intoxicated at the helm during a police control after having arrived in Kiel coming from Rostock on Oct 6. The master was replaced before the ship proceeded to Bremen. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-10-12]

 

2,500-gt LPG carrier Kanthicha (built 1981), operated by Siam Maritime of Bangkok, suffered fire at Patapao Island, Phuket, on Oct. 7. The vessel was without cargo with only one crewman aboard, who was safely evacuated. [8-10-2012]

 

Chinese cargo vessel Haoda 6 (built 1992), en route from Chiba, near Tokyo, to Ningbo, China, with 980 tonnes iron scrap, suffered fire off Kyushu, Japan, on Oct. 4/5. The fire was brought under control with assistance of Japanese Coast Guard and the vessel towed to a safe area. No injuries reported. [8-10-2012]

 

8,200-dwt South Korean cargo vessel Rainbow Joy (built 1995), operated by Dong Nam Shipping of Busan, collided with a smaller fishing vessel off Davao City, the Philippines, on the morning of Oct. 6. The fisherman jumped from their stricken boat before it sank and were rescued by other nearby boats. The Korean cargo vessel reportedly failed to contact authorities. Local authorities intend to request their Indonesian counterparts exercise port state control powers to detain the vessel. [8-10-2012]

 

92,000-gt cruies shipe MSC Orchestra (built 2007) suffered bacterial Meningitis outbreak off Italy. Four crew are reported ill, one critically. The seafarers were admitted to the hospital in Livorno on Oct. 7. The vessel left Livorno to begin its next cruise on Oct. 7. [8-10-2012]

 

18,700-dwt tanker Union Brave (built 1983) suffered explosion at Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard on Oct. 6. Five men were killed in the explosion and a sixth man died Oct. 7 in Bhavnagar hospital after succumbing to burn injuries. A seventh man is still in critical condition. The vessel had been acquired for scrapping by Bhavnagar-based Kiran Ship Breaking Co. Witness reports indicate the incident occurred after workers used blow torches to cut open a compartment near the pump-room toward at the aft of the vessel. [8-10-2012]

 

30,700-dwt Algoma bulker John D Leitch (built 1967), travelling along the Black River in Lorain County, Ohio, collided with a sheriff's vessel and allided with a pier on Oct. 3. The captain and crew tested negative for alcohol. The sheriff's vessel was unmanned at the time of the incident and will be surveyed for damage. [8-10-2012]

 

10,500-dwt German multipurpose cargo vessel BBC Emsland (built 2010), operated by HS Schiffahrts, suffered fire at Stavanger, Norway on Oct. 2. The fire began in a cargo of plastic. Dense smoke was reported by local media, but assessed damage was limited. [8-10-2012]

 

176,000-dwt Taiwanese bulker Wah Shan (built 2003), Netherlands to Immingham, UK, suffered fatal accident as it headed into Immingham on Oct. 4. A 35-yr-old Chinese national crewman was killed after a snapped wire/cable broke his neck. The accident was reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Health and Safety Executive who are investigating. [8-10-2012]

 

800-gt Norwegian ferry Sykkylvsfjorden (built 1975), operated by Fjord 1 of Floro, allided with a ramp at Liabygda on Oct. 2. Local amedia attributed technical propulsion issues. The vessel had previously allided with the side at Stranda on Sept. 27. The vessel is now docked for surveys. [8-10-2012]

 

Lamma IV, a vessel owned or chartered by the Hong Kong Electric Company carrying staff to watch the National Day fireworks, was in collision with high speed catamaran passenger ferry Sea Smooth traveling from Hong Kong Island to Lamma; the incident happened off Hong Kong's Lamma Island at 2030LT on Oct. 1. The ferry was not seriously damaged and managed to make it to its destination. The Lamma IV -- with over 124 passengers and three crew -- foundered. At least 25 people reported dead and more than 40 others hospitalized. [From our Correspondent Kristine Kantke, 1-10-2012] UPDATE>> Death toll raised to 39 and number of injured raised to 87. Police arrested the captains of both vessels along with five crew, pointing to possible human error as the cause of the accident. Authorities have said that in a six-month probe, investigators will try to determine why the Lamma IV sank so quickly, whether there was adequate safety equipment on board and if the captains followed the applicable navigation rules. [8-10-2012]

 

6,264-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged container M/V Celia, (IMO: 9184237), ran aground on the beach of Sidi Saler after having unloaded at Grau Ilevaba and which had anchored off Valencia on Sep 28. The ship went adrift in a violent rainstorm with gusts of 77 km/h. The crew on board was safe. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 1-10-2012]

 

1,999-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Hao Han, (IMO: 9310329 ),carrying 1,000 tons of scrap metal, caught fire in waters in the Osaka Bay about 10 km off shore of Izumiotsu City in the Osaka Prefecture on Sep 28. 12 Chinese crew members aboard were rescued. No one was injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 1-10-2012]

 

Dutch-flagged sailing vessel J.R. Tolkien (CS: PFRB; IMO: 7017064) ran aground during a race of veteran ships off Wilhelmshaven on Sep 28. The two-masted 42-m-ship had on board about 90 pupils when it got stuck near the Jade-Weser-Port. It had to be pulled off by two other ships and was able to continue. No injuries reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 1-10-2012]

 

1,532-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Virak, (IMO: 7805162 ) allided with the pier at Misten already on Sep 20, and suffered a hole in the hull. The accident happened whena new officer was being trained. Due to high water and strong currents the ship arrived at a difficult angle at the dock. The hull hit the quay instead of rubber fenders, and a hole was torn above the waterline. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 1-10-2012]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR SEPTEMBER 2012


 

8,331-gt Singapore-flagged tanker Norgas Cathinka (IMO: 9370654 ), was in collision with the Indonesian ferry Bahuga Jaya off Sumatra on Sep 26. Eight people died on board the ferry which carried 208 people and 78 vehicles. Several more have been transported to hospitals.Also the chemical tanker suffered structural damage in the collision but there was no risk that the ship sank or propylene cargo leaked out. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

362-ton cargo vessel LCT Tanag Tawi-Tawi, buffeted by strong winds and huge waves, drifted from the Zamboanga City wharf and hit a nearby residential area where it damaged at least 21 houses on Sep 25. The ship’s crew tried to maneuver the vessel to safety, but due to the strong winds and big waves prevailing at the time, the ship drifted towards the seaside where the houses were located. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

88-ft long Wooden Aku Boat Kula Kai was sinking in Kewalo Basin on Sep 25. It's the last wooden aku boat built in Hawaii, but is no longer seaworthy, and is now considered abandoned.Fire crews and the harbor master worked to pump the water off the vessel, and keep it from going under. They were trying to get the vessel into a dry dock so it can be removed and disposed of. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

2,003-ts German-flagged tank barge Dresden, (EU-No.: 04806640), ran aground on the Rhine between Ingelheim and Oestrich in the evening of Sep 25. The ship has on board more than 1500 tons oil. As it got stuck far outside the fairway, ship traffic was not hampered. Attempts of two tugs to refloat the ship during the night have failed. A lighter tanker was called to pump off some of the cargo. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

765-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Sykkylvsfjord, (IMO: 7405924 ), allided with the ferry pier in STranda in the morning of Sep 27. There was a tremendous bang, and bits of wood flew into the air due to the impact. Passengers were shocked, but not injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

6,764-gt CT Longford, (IMO: 9393072), enroute Clon-Porvoo allided with a pier of the company Sasol in Brunsbüttel in the morning of Sep 27. The ship had on board 8000 tons ethanol and had left the great northern lock in Brunsbüttel eastbound when it started to veer to port and hit the pier on the northern side of the inner port of Brundsbüttel. The eastern part of the pier was severely damaged, the piling completely submerged. The tanker suffered damages on both sides of the foreship. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-9-12]

 

405-gt Dutch-flagged trawler Maria - GO 20, (IMO: 8811182), was in collision with an oil platform 65 kilometer northwest of Den Helder on Sep 23. The trawler suffered damage to the bow above the waterline and a broken boom. The crew of five remained uninjured. The maritime police mwanwhile started an investigation of the cause of the collision. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-9-12]

 

62,619-gt Bahamas-flagged tank M/V Kyeema Spirit, (IMO: 9171840 ), ran aground off Tallinn whilst coming from Plaquemines Parish on Sep 24. The unloaded ship got stuck east of Ulfsö (in Estonian Aegna) north of Tallinn. The tanker was firmly aground and taking on water. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-9-12]

 

6,904-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Fanafjord, (IMO: 9344758), ran into a dock at Sandvikvåg while heading for the ferry pier on Sep 24. There were no injuries, but the ferry sustained damage to the bulb steven and will have to be investigated further by divers. The police Hordaland questioned the crew. They believe that the reason for the allision was a computer error. This will have to be checked before the ship may continue operations.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-9-12]

 

263-gt Bülk, (IMO: 8701284), master was severely injured when a cable of the Klaipeda-bound, Liberian-flagged cargo M/V Sound Futura, (IMO: 9086538), snapped while the ship was being assisted into the Kiel-Holtenau lock of the Kiel Canal on Sep 24. The master was taken by ambulance to hospital for further medical treatment. Several installations of the wheelhouse were damaged in the accident so that the tug had to be taken out of service. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-9-12]

 

1,917-ts Dutch-flagged tank barge Veendam (EU-No.: 02327026), allided with the Dorkwerder Bridge spanning the Van Starkenborgh Canal at Dorkwerd, northeast of Groningen on Sep 14. The canal as well as the bridge had to be closed for ship and vehicle traffic while the damaged bridge construction was surveyed. The tanker was carrying dangerous goods but was not significantly damaged. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

Dutch-flagged charter yacht Morgana (CS: PC5639; MMSI-No.: 244290095) with 28 passengers and a crew of 2 on board suffered water ingress 30 kilometres south of Terschelling on Sep 15. Two lifeboats of the KNRM from Terschelling and one from Vlieland took the passengers off and brought them to Terschelling. The crew remained on board to assist in the dewatering works. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

54,405-tonne container vessel M/V Amsterdam Bridge suffered fire near the Prongs Reef Lighthouse in South Mumbai over the weekend of September 8-10. Significant damage but no injuries reported. Sources in the Western Coast Guard confirmed that many of the 16,000 containers were hazardous cargoes. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

Dutch-flagged, self propelled barge Maria S. (MMSI-No.: 244010665, CS: PD2434) broke out in fire in the engine room in the Waal Port of Rotterdam on Sep 15. The fire was soon brought under control, no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was yet unknown. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

142-t Norwegian-flagged ferry Rygerfonn, (IMO: 9383364), carrying 29 passengers, crashed into a pier at Tysnes on Sep 15. Police, fire brigade and ambulance were sent to the site. The ship suffered significant damage to the bow. With the exception of one person having suffered a shock no one injured inspite of the strong impact. The passengers were taken ashore after the ferry was secured.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

1528-gt Norwegian-flagged cargo M/V Suledrott, (IMO: 8318063), enroute Haugesund-Averøy ran aground off Sunnmøre in the morning of Sep 16. The ship got stuck on the Kirkholm rock at the height of the Hurtigruten quay in Torvika with a crew of 5 on board. Rescue divers found a hole, but no leak.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

992-dwt German-flagged tall ship Alexander von Humboldt II, (IMO: 9618446) was about to dock in Travemuende on Sep 17 it was hit by a yacht which had suffered an engine damage and gone adrift. The skipper had tried to avoid the collision with a sailing manoever but failed. The Alexander von Humboldt II in vain tried to escape the approaching boat, but a steel cable of the yacht got entangled in the jib boom of the tall ship causing the yacht's mast to break. The boat entered a boat yard for repairs, no one was hurt. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

1,861-gt St. Vincent-Grenadines-flagged cargo M/V Lona, (IMO: 7234753), ran aground while appraching a dock on Risholmen off Torslanda and Arendal on Sept 17. The vessel which was enroute from Copenhagen to Gothenburg was unloaded when getting stuck inside the large crude oil pier at the Tor Harbour. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

3,325-gt Bourbon Tampen, (IMO: 9276896 ), carrying 15 crew, broke out in fire in the engin room while docked at a quay of Fjord Base in Botnaneset in Florø on Sep 18. The fire has been extinguished using the ship's own fire fighting capacities.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

2,871-gt Stord, (IMO: 8513601), allided with the dock at Tau and suffered a dent in the side which needed repair in a yard in Stavanger on Sep 16. Though the incident was not dramatic, the Sjøfartsdirektoratet was notified. Personnel from there inspected the damage on Sep 18 and demanded an immediate repair. The Etne was called to replace the ship in the meantime.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

Ferry Siranan, carrying 27 passengers, sank off Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao Town on Sep 20. Seven people died and 5 remain missing. Search and rescue operations by members of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and maritime police are still ongoing off Bangao.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 21-9-2012]

 

64-meter trawler Amaltal Columbia carrying 43 people en route off New Zealand's coast, caught fire in its hold on Sept 12. Crew members were forced to abandon ship. No injuries reported. Rescuers battled tough conditions, with 30 knot winds and four-metre swells. [From our Correspondent David Kempster, 13-9-12]

 

2,954-dwt Greece-flagged general cargo vessel Efstratios ran aground in Aegean sea in position 38 11N 024 05E en route between Greek ports loaded with sunflower on Sep 11. No leak and breaches reported, but vessel is said to be hard aground, waiting for a salvage tug from Piraeus. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-9-12]

 

Russia-flagged trawlers Umbrina and Altay collided in southern Barents sea after Umbrina suffered a blackout on Sept 10. Umbrina got a hole 1.1x0.15 meters in cargo hold area and was anchored off Kildin island. Trawler required an assistance, tug Mikula reached Umbrina around midday and towed her to a shelter, where hole was sealed. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-9-12]

 

55,575-gt Holland America's Maasdam (IMO: 8919257 ), had a minor collision with a berth in Montreal while docking September 8. No one was injured, but repairs to the ship were made. Maasdam sustained minor damage above the water line, when it hit the number 17 berth. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-9-12]

 

New Zealand fish factory Amaltal Columbia with 43 crew on board suffered major fire 45 nautical miles (85km) north-east of Lyttelton Heads, New Zealand on Sept 12. Fire started in stern area, reportedly in cargo hold, and quickly engulfed the whole of the vessel. Vessel headed towards Lyttelton, but fire was spreading too fast, and around 09:00 39 crew were transferred to the first vessel responding to a mayday, Ukrainian fish factory Ivan Golubets.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-9-12]

 

N30,059-gt Danish-flagged tanker Torm Gertrud, (IMO:9240885), en route from the port of Lagos to the open sea, was attacked and shot at by pirates who tried to hijack the ship on Sept 9. None were injured. The attack lasted 20 minutes. here it is expected on Sep 20.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-9-12]

 

19,963-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Antares, (IMO: 8500680), was in collision with six pleasure boats on the Trave enroute Helsingborg-Travemuende on Sep 9. The police were investigating whether human error or a technical failure caused the accident. The amount of damage had to be assessed by an expert. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-9-12]

 

Cyprus-flagged crane pontoon Strekker (IMO: 1128017; CS: MHJ2), caught fire in Eemshaven in the Beatrix Port at the Terminal Delfzijl BV Westlob 3 on Sept 5. The KNRM-boat Jan en Titia Visser was alarmed and left its station with an additional pump on board.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-9-12]

 

U.S.-flagged cargo M/V Ocean Atlas was detained by Venezuelan authorities on the basis of arms smuggling on Aug. 29. Three rifles were found on board the vessel. 14 crew were put under armed guard at the rear of the vessel while the cptain was taken on land for questioning. On or about Sept. 10, charges were dropped, the captain was allowed back on board, and the vessel free to leave. [10-9-2012]

 

1,058-ts M/V Marianne, (EU-No.:4010250), suffered engine room fire in Papenburg during welding works on Sept 7. The fire brigades Untenende, Obenende and Aschendorf were on scene with 100 men. Within one hour the fire was under control. Oil booms were laid out to keep pollutants from spreading. The ship was about to be scrapped.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-9-12]

 

1,298-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Magda D, (IMO: 8407228), was in collision with 19,758-gt Danish-flagged tanker Maersk Barry, (IMO: 9299458), when turning into the Neuhöfer Canal on Sep 4. The Magda D suffered damage at the railings and the hatch installations. The Maersk Barry was dented at the port side aft. The police started an investigation, collected the radar-and VHF data and seized the Magda D. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-9-12]

 

866-dwt Cambodia-flagged general cargo vessel Wealthy Grace (IMO: 8608731, built 1986) carrying 625 tons of general cargo, ran aground in Amurskiy Bay, Peter the Great Gulf, Japan sea, departing Vladivostok on Sep 4. No leak and no water ingress reported. Salvage awaiting weather improvement. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-9-12]

 

Tug Rotterdam of Svitzer Salvage refloated the 23,643.gt Cyprus-flagged bulkcarrier Hay, (IMO: 8300652 ), which was pushed against a sand bank 126 miles upstream at the Orinoco river in Venezuela. The refloating was executed under supervision of Svitzer Salvage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-9-12]



11,568-gt Panama-flagged tanker Wawasan Ruby, (IMO: 9477517 ), allided with a coal pier in Baltimore on Aug 25. The damage rendered the coal pier and all equipment associated with loading vessels inoperable. One employee, that had been injured in the incident and had to be hospitalized, was later released. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Deo Favente (CS PB4442; MMSI-No.: 244660062) overran a survey boat from Hamburg with four persons on board on the Rhine at Basel which capsized on Aug 31. A rescue operation was started with police and fire brigade including boats and a helicopter. Three of the crew were saved and taken to hospital, one of them had to be resuscitated by medics. However, the master remained missing. The search was stopped after one hour. The capsized boat was salvaged by a boat of the fire brigade. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

F/V Advantage sank 14 miles southeast of Kodiak Island on Aug. 31. A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak rescued three people from a life raft and was searching for a missing crewmember. After several unsuccessful attempts to contact the vessel via radio the watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak. Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene they located a life raft with three of the Advantage crewmembers aboard and began hoisting them to safety. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

Several people aboard the 265-passenger paddle wheeler Serendipity Princess were hurt on Lake Simcoe in the afternoon of Sep 2 after the ship struck a dock, sending passengers lunging. Two people were taken to hospital by ambulance and a number of others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

1,358-ts Belgian-flagged, self propelled barge Asana, (ENI-No.: 06003243; CS OT2397) got stuck on the Waal at Nijmegen in the morning of Sep 3. The ship got stuck with its bow almost directly at the Waal Bridge at the Lindenberg Port. Another Belgian vessel, the Amara, was able to pull the ship off. At 7.30 a.m. both ships continued their voyages to Germany. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

3,355-dwt S-Vincent-flagged general cargo M/V Jul (IMO: 7124403, built 1971) was destroyed by a fire from welding works on board on Aug 31. Two workers died and two were injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

12,578-gt Swiss-flagged Bulkcarrier Arosa (IMO: 9229879 ), was pushed aground by hurricane Isaac on the Mississippi in Plaquemines Parish in South Louisiana whilst coming from New Orleans on Aug 29. Strong wind gusts pushed the vessel onto the embankment while the ship was sheltering at anchor. There was no danger for the crew of the unloaded ship. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

608-dwt Moldova-flagged general cargo M/V Hammelwarden (IMO 5141342) reported abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic off Western Sahara since August 30. Last known position at 00:50 UTC September 4 was in 22 21N 017 57W, speed 1 knot, moving in southern direction. AIS tracking shows 1 knot speed, which is looking like drifting, for at least 24 hours. No other details available at the moment. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

527-gt German-flagged passenger M/V Adler Vineta, (IMO: 7904578), allided with the Sea Pier in Ahlbeck upon Usedom in the evening of Sep 3. Due to the impact three passengers were slightly injured. On the whole there were 37 passengers and a crew of six on board the ship. It hit a piling so hard that the hull and railings were damaged. Drug tests of master and helmsman were negative. The ship sailed for Swinoujscie the same evening.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

German-flagged passenger M/V Eilun (CS: DCHL; MMSI-No.: 211299300), allided with the quay of the port of Wittdün upon Amrum on Sep 4. There were about 100 passengers aboard the 25-m-ship. 28 persons, among them several children, were injured. Nine injured were taken to hospitals in Wyk upon Föhr and Niebüll on the Frisian mainland. The others were treated on scene. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR AUGUST 2012


 

12,582-dwt German-flagged boxship Hansa Berlin (IMO 8910081) ran aground some 20 miles off Havana, Cuba, en route from Colon to Santiago on August 26. Reportedly, vessel suffered an engine failure and was pushed aground by heavy seas caused by hurricane Isaac. Crew was evacuated. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

5,823-dwt Indonesia-flagged chemical tanker Soechi Lesmana (IMO 8113970) suffered a fire in engine room and then exploded in Mamuju waters in West Sulawesi, Indonesia, about 20 miles of Belang-Belang port in Mamuju on Aug 27. Tanker loaded with unknown type of fuel was en route from Pare-Pare to Donggala in Central Sulawesi. 1 crew died in explosion, 2 were badly injured and taken to hospital, the rest of 20 crew was evacuated and taken to Marmuju. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

1,999-gt Dutch-flagged cargo M/V BBS Star, (IMO: 9196254), was in collision with the 16641-gt Dutch-flagged cargo M/V Snoekgracht, (IMO: 9202546), in the Kiel Canal at the pilot station Rüsterbergen on Aug 29. The ship suffered rudder damage shortly after having departed from the port of Rendsbrg by unknown reasons. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

142-gt Norwegian-flagged speed ferry Rygerfonn, (IMO: 9383364), on the way from Bergen to Rosendal began to vibrate violently just before the Sotra bridge on Aug 29. It was found out that a 5-6 meter long plastic tube was stuck in the propeller. The lifeboat Kristian Gerhard Jebsen came to assist, and the 23-m-ferry was pulled to a quay at Askøy. A diver from the rescue company removed the obstruction from the propeller. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

Bulk carrier Pacific Carrier broke in two in typhoon Bolaven near Sacheon, to the south of Busan, South Korea on Aug 28. Vessel was in a lay-up after the collision with boxship Hyundai Confidence on Dec 14 2011. Vessel was apparently in ballast, the cargo of coal was offloaded after the collision. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

1,598-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Vyg (IMO: 9055187), enroute Calais-Klaipeda, ran aground off Ahrenshoop, Vorpommern-Rügen Community, on Aug 30. The master was intoxicated. Other ships had remarked that the ship had come off course and had tried to warn him, but he did not respond. The ship headed straight to the shore and got stuck on the beach. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-8-12]

 

7,713-gt Cyprus-flagged container ship Hanse Vision (IMO: 9302243) during a control the Hamburg police discovered nine containers loaded with dangerous goods such as toxic chemicals which were stacked on the outer edge of the ship on Aug 27. According to international rules such goods should be stowed only in protected areas. The mistake was noticed during an inspection of the vessel. The ship was detained to stow the boxes accordingly to the safety rules. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-8-12]

 

7,249-gt St. Vincent-Grenadines-flagged cargo M/V Ilya, (IMO: 9111228), ran aground on the Congo river while being underway to Matadi on Aug 17. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-8-12]

 

Two Chinese fishing vessels, Yuejiangchengyu91104 and Yuejiangchengyu91105, with 34 crew on board, capsized and sank in East China Sea on August 28. 2 crew managed to get to the shore and notify the authorities. 1 fisherman was resuced and 31 remain missing. Vessels got caught in a typhoon Bolaven with gale-force wind and big waves. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-8-12]

 

Bulk carrier Thermopylae Sierra containing 70 tons of fuel, sank on the road of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on August 23. Anchored on the road since 2009, after being detained in accordance with court order following cargo and crew disputes. Vessel was abandoned and not maintained for quite a time, authorities were warned well in advance about the risk of sinking. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

British-flagged chem tanker Anuket Emerald carrying 18 crew, was declared unreported in Gulf of Guinea, last known position 05.50N 001.14E at around 18:00 UTC August 18. All vessels in the area advised to search and report if tanker is spotted. Vessel was en route from Cotonou Benin, to Lome offshore facilities. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

52,067-gt Bahamas-flagged tank M/V Katja (IMO: 9105906), ran aground off the island Minsener Oog, 2 km southeast of Wangerooge, in the Frisian Community with a cargo of 87.000 tons crude oil in the night of Aug 14. The ship developed a list. In the early morning the vessel could be refloated with tug assistance when the tide rose. Escorted by two tugs it proceeded to Wilhelmshaven where it berthed at 8.30 a.m. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

1,124-ts Romanian-flagged self propelled barge Speedo (EU-No.: 02313083; CS YP3131), ran aground on the Danube at Regelsbrunn, at river km 1902 in the Bruck region on Aug 14. The ship was enroute Passau-Rotterdam. The width of the fairway was reduced to 30 meters by the casualty, so that ship traffic remained possible only between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m., and the river was closed for shipping during the nighttime. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

2,945-ts Dutch-flagged container barge Uniqueship, (EU-No.:02326170; CS: PD2730), caught fire in theNorthern Waal Port in Rotterdam on Aug 15. Two crew members suffered injuries at arms, legs and back. One of them jumped into the water following an explosion in the engine room. Both were saved and taken to hospital. Harbour service and fire brigade tackled the fire which followed the explosion. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

878-ts German-flagged, self propelled barge Heike W, (EU-No.: 04607760; CS DC7107), caught fire in the port of Osnabrück, where the ship was berthed with a cargo of gravel on Aug 14. The fire brigade entered the engine room with breathing gear after a diesel generator had caught fire around 10 a.m. The crew had already been able to tackle the flames with fire extinguishers. The fire brigade extinguished remaining hot spots and cooled down glowing metal parts. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

69,172-dwt USA-flagged bulk carrier Paul R. Tregurtha (IMO 7729057, built 1981) grounded on the west side of Neebish Island in the vicinity of what is commonly known as the Rock Cut, in the downbound channel of the St. Marys River on Aug 15. The vessel is carrying approximately 62,000 tons of coal. The initial grounding occurred in way of the vessel’s bow but the ship pivoted and the stern became grounded as well. Currently, the vessel is hard aground at its bow and stern and the ship spans the width of the shipping channel. Coast Guard Station Sault Ste. Marie transported responding personnel to the grounded freighter at approximately 6 a.m. to assess the situation and determine the extent of any structural damage to the vessel. Initial reports indicate there is no resultant pollution and no injuries were reported, but there is some damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

9750-gt Liberian-flagged cargo M/V Vega Sagittarius (IMO: 9491616), ran aground 12 miles west of Nuuk on Aug 15. The hull was holed above the water line, but the ship finally was stable as it was high on the rocky ground. Before, it has made repeated attempts to get free under its own power before it finally settled on rocky ground. None of the crew of 17, were injured. The authorities have requisitioned booms, but there were no reports of oil spills from the ship. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

33 meter long, 40 ton passenger ship / catamaran Twin City Liner ran aground on the Danube Canal near Vienna, Austria, on Aug 16. The Twin City Liner was proceeding along the canal with 100 people when it suffered an engine failure allowing the vessel onto the canal’s embankment. Ten passengers suffered minor injuries with two taken to hospital. The remaining passengers were safely transferred ashore and were aided by the local fire brigade. The passenger ship suffered no damage or pollution and was able to refloat itself a short time later the same day. The Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

Indian Cargo vessel Marine 7', laden with coal, sank after colliding with two other ships on Angtihara transit route in the Sheikhbaria River under Koira upazila near Mongla Port in Khulna district early on Aug 16. The vessel's crew of 17 sawm ashore. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) rushed to the scene and began salvage operation. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

1655-ts German-flagged tank barge Marion, (EU-No.: 02317815; CS: DA8816), ran aground on the Danube sailing downstram towards Vilshofen on Aug 17. The ship got stuck on a gravel bar when it was underway from Regensburg to Passau due to a navigational mistake in dense fog. The river authority Deggendorf and the water police was on scene in the early morning hours. The unloaded ship had got stuck outside the fairway and did not affect passing traffic. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

140-gt German-flagged harbour ferry Reeperbahn, (ENI-No.: 5117160; CS DB3812), was in collision with the 294-gt St. Vincent-Grenadines-flagged tug SD Ranger, (IMO: 9600712 ), on the Elbe in Hamburg at the New Tug Pier where the tug was moored on Aug 17. The Reeperbahn was underway from St. Pauli to Neumühlen with 25 passengers on board. A mistake of the ferry's master was responsible for the accident. Both ships were detained for the length of investigations, the data records collected.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

2,431-gt Norwegian-flagged factory trawler Volstad, (IMO: 9139608), suffered fatality of one crew, killed in a working accident aboard the vessel which was cod fishing off Svalbard on Aug 16. The accident occurred while the trawler was located southeast of Hopen. The crew in vain tried to keep the man, who had suffered severe crush injuries, alive. The Governor of Svalbard sent a Super Puma helicopter with healthcare professionals to the vessel, but the crewman was pronounced dead at 5.30 p.m. The ship was directed to Tromsoe where it berthed in the morning of Aug 18 for investigations. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

1,935-ts German-flagged, self propelled barge Sinn, (EU-No.: 4013160), being loaded with 613 tons soy ran aground on the Danube enroute Deggendorf-Passau on Aug 20. Due to a driving mistake of the pilot the ship got stuck on the left shore and was turned perpendicular to the fairway. Then the stern got stuck on the right shore. The master was able to anchor the ship at the Mühlhamer Loop.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

Ferry M/V Salwat, carrying 12 people, capsized near the Maziwe Islet on the Indian Ocean on Aug 19. 11 persons were rescued but a traveller is still missing. The accident occurred due to bad weather. The boat -- with the carrying capacity of 35 passengers -- started to take in water after it was hit by strong ocean currents. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

3,003-grt Cyprus-flagged high-speed ferry Master Jet (IMO 8900012, built 1991) carrying 670 passengers, allided with pier while docking in port of Rethymnon, Greece on Aug 19. Propeller guarding belt was damaged. Vessel was detained for repairs and following survey.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

113-m-river Bulgarian-flagged cruise ship Sofia (EU-No.: 47000013), collided with a barge train A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH on Aug 20. The Danube had to be closed for shipping. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-8-12]

 

52,000-dwt cargo vessel Ocean Breeze (registered Hong Kong, built 2006), Panama to Chile with wheat and soy and crew of 24, ran aground near the port of San Antonio, Chile in high wind and strong tidal wave conditions on Aug. 16. Authorities report the vessel's anchor chain broke. The incident triggered a dramatic rescue of the crew by Chilean Navy helicopters. [19-8-2012]

 

2,200-dwt Reederei Erwin Strahlmann vessel Roger (built 1984) failed July inspection at the UK. The UK Maritime and Costa Guard Agency reported the deck officers were unfamiliar with the steering controls, the chief officer was unable to show how the oily water separator worked and the crew demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding the fire drill. Further, the muster list did not account for departed crew, the accommodation ladder was unsafe, there were insufficient spares to carry out critical repairs and a punctured hose was used during the fire drill. [19-8-2012]

 

11,300-dwt French chemical tanker Guyenne (built 2006) suffered engine room fire 15 miles east of Palamos, Spain on Aug. 15. The crew was unable to restore power and a tug was hired by the owner to bring the vessel into port. [19-8-2012]

 

4,530-TEU Maersk Diadema (built 2006) responded to a mayday call from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on Aug. 13 to assist a small vessel 70 miles west of Bali. The passengers of the boat were asylum seekers which boarded the Maersk vessel; the crew of the wooden boat headed back to Indonesia. The incident has raised questions over the validity of asylum claims and whether the responsibilities of merchant vessels are being targeted for abuse by organised gangs. The incident came within days of a Wallenius car carrier diverting to Christmas Island from Singapore with 67 asylum seekers on board after they threatened self-harm unless delivered to Australian territory. [19-8-2012]

 

31,000-dwt AAL Brisbane (built 2010), managed by AAL parent Columbia Shipmanagement of Cyprus, was held in Wellington following a close-call incident near rocks at Pencarrow on Aug. 12. The vessel was carrying pulp from Melbourne when it went "closer than it should have" to the shore as it arrived at the harbor entrance. The vessel was detained by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) when it docked. The incident, vessel and crew are being investigated. [19-8-2012]

 

97,000-dwt Finnish tanker Katja (built 2005), with 87,000 metric tons crude, ran aground off Wangerooge, German on Aug. 14. The tanker was refloated at high tide. [19-8-2012]

 

52,380-dwt Norwegian bulker Fermita (built 2001), operated by Ugland Marine Services, was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard for fire prevention deficiencies last month in New Orleans. Records indicated that 25% of the port inspections involving the Fermita have resulted in detention over the past 36 months. The vessel is classed by Det Norske Veritas and was working a charter with Hyundai America Shipping Agency at the time of the most recent detention at New Orleans. [19-8-2012]

 

312,000-dwt Japanese VLCC Otowasan, Qatar to Fujairah, was in collision with American guided missile destroyer USS Porter in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 12. Photos released by the US Navy show the hull of the warship penetrated by the tanker’s bow with crew members inside the vessel inspecting the damage. The extent of damage to the Otowasan is not known but no injuries or pollution are reported as a result of the collision. The USS Porter was able to make the port of Jebel Ali under its own power with the damage now being assessed and the collision under investigation. [19-8-2012]

 

The European Commission has abandoned its high profile antitrust investigation into the International Group protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs. There has been a near two year probe into the 13 clubs in the cartel and there was some industry expectation that changes would be required to the way the clubs operate. A critical but widely known feature of the agreement between the International Group clubs is an arrangement to not undercut each other’s premium quotation at the annual 20 February renewal. Accordingly, there appears to be overt anti-competitive conduct by a cartel which has in excess of 90% market share of the world fleet and a near monopoly in providing liability cover for large tankers, cruiseships as well as other vessels requiring high limits of cover. The International Group has now survived three antitrust investigations over the last 30 years; the P&I club system continues although the business ambitions and diversification of the clubs is changing the market in other ways. A key argument of the International Group’s campaign against the antitrust investigation was that the clubs are not for profit mutuals that through claims pooling are delivering cover at cost to shipowners. The International Group indicated it planned to make some amendments to the agreements at the centre of the investigation but was still finalising exactly what it would do. One theory is that there may be some understanding between the Commission and the clubs, with a moderation of the release call system that makes it expensive or even prohibitive for owners to switch clubs a prime candidate. International Group secretary Andrew Bardot is not commenting on what amendments may come to fruition, but said there was no understanding with the Commission. [19-8-2012]

 

8,375-gt Mauritius-flagged cable layer Chamarel (IMO: 7347718), which had caught fire on Aug 8 is still burning. No visible effort was made to extinguish the fire aboard the stricken vessel.The ship had been on its way north to Benin when the captain received a message that one of the crew member's children passed away. The ship apparently turned around to drop the bereaved crew member off in the nearest harbour and it was then that the disaster struck. Black and white fume was emerging from the ship, mostly from the stern region. The midship region was gutted and the ship listing. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-8-2012]

 

480-gt Togo-flagged cargo M/V Kalutta (IMO: 5181457) carrying stone, ran aground in the Tjeld Sound at the approach of Ramsund, in the trechn between Gyltnes on Tjeldøya and Stokkøya on Aug 11. The crew of five was not injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-8-2012]

 

2930-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled barge Karola (EU-No.: 2322305), ran aground on the Rhine at river km 534,9 between Trechtingshausen and Lorch on Aug 12. The ship was carrying 1.829 tons steel plates from Rotterdam to Mannheim when it veered off its course due to a rudder failure and got stuck. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-8-2012]

 

German-flagged ferry Altona (DA6171; MMSI-No.: 211437160) ran aground on the Elbe underway from Blankenese to Neuenfelde on Aug 11. Most of the 30 passengers spent the afternoon aboard the grounded ship, only four of them, among them a girl of four years, were taken ashore by a boat of the German Lifesaving Society DLRG, before the ship was refloated.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-8-2012]

 

Swedish-flagged ferry Djurgarden 11 (CS: SJND, MMSI-No.: 265584790), underway between Slussen and Djurgården allided with the dock in Stockholm on Aug 11. Several people were injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-8-2012]

 

German-flagged 20-m-tug Schleppko 16 (MMSI-No.: 211519730; CS DA2004) with the 50-m-barge S 430-12 alongside, collided with the F/V Butt in the port of Hamburg at Köhlfleet off the Brügger shore on Aug 6. The Butt capsized, throwing the skipper over board. The fisher saved himself by swimming ashore. The master of the tug had not noticed the small boat. The police launched investigations which included the analysis of radar and VHF traffic. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-8-2012]

 

1499-gt Dutch-flagged inland container barge Mer-Green, (EU-No.: 02334510; CS PD9245), allided with a bridge of the A 59 spanning the Wilhelmina Canal in Zwijndrecht near Oosterhout on July 31. The container cargo got stuck underneath the bridge. The ballast water tanks of the vessel were filled and the level of the canal lowered in order to free the ship. One empty container fell into the water. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-8-2012]

 

3,433-gt Belize-flagged cargo M/V Loyga (IMO: 8004791), having come from Arkhangelsk, was detained in the fishing port of Bremerhaven after its arrvial on July 29. The ship is suspected to have pumped oil overboard various times. The pier was closed off for the investigations of the police who think that oil has been pumped off regularly. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-8-2012]

 

2,061-gt Kine (IMO: 9145140), enroute Oslo-Mo I Rana ran aground off Smøla on Aug 3. The lifeboat Erik Bye was called to assist the steel loaded vessel. A ballast water tank was breached and suffered water ingress. The ship proceeded to Kristiansund with own power then and berthed. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-8-2012]

 

11,243-gt Malta-flagged reefer Baltic Stream (IMO: 7726718), grounded on the Elbe near Drochtersen on July 30 after having suffered main engine trouble. The ship was pulled off from the grounding position near Kollmar and proceeded to the port of Bützfleth where the ship berthed. Undisclosed reports said the reefer allided with a navigation buoy, which had damaged the propeller. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-8-2012]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR JULY 2012


 

1,086-gt Cook Islands-flagged sand carrier Vestborg (IMO: 7502021), ran aground in the Steinsvik Bay off Bolandet in Herøy Sunnmøre enroute Kristiansand-Bergen on July 28. The crew of six were not injured. The ship got stuck near a boathouse on the east side of Leinøy. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-7-2012]

 

6,334-gt Liberian-flagged cruise ship Expedition (IMO: 7211074), carrying 100 passengers and 57 crew, ran aground in the evening of July 23. The ship had started taking in water after the grounding at Isispynten, east of Nordaustlandet. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-7-2012]

 

1,725-gt Russian-flagged trawler Melkart II (IMO: 8701959 ), was seized and escorted to Tromsø by the Coast Guard vessel Nordkapp on July 25 due to a suspicion of illegal dumping of fish in the fisheries protection zone around Svalbard, and for failing to report the position and the catch to the fisheries directorate. The case is being investigated by the police Tromsø. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-7-2012]

 

Ferry M/V Skagit carrying 291 passengers capsized enroute from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar on July 25. Government official Ali Juma Shamhuna said 69 passengers were confirmed dead and 77 were still missing, but the rescue efforts were called off because it was unlikely to still find any passengers alive in the Indian Ocean three days after the accident. The government closed the identification center for victims Saturday after bodies recovered a day earlier had already decomposed beyond recognition, said Dr. Marijani Msafiri, an official in charge of the rescue operation. Rescue efforts had been slowed down by heavy winds and strong currents over the past days. One rescue diver, Ali Ramadhan, said divers tried to find the sunken ship, diving to a depth of 25 meters (yards) but couldn't find it. [26-7-2012]

 

French-flagged river cruise ship Douce France (FM2895; EU-No.: 01822845), carrying 143 passengers and 23 crew ran aground on the Rhine at Lorch on July 21. A crew member caused the accident when he disposed of a broken sun lounger. When he tried to stow away the lounger, he touched the switch for the fuel supply and the engine was shut off. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

231-gt Norwegian-flagged trawler Frøytrans (IMO: 6400484) sprang a leak in Hareid at Hjørungavåg on July 22. The Fire Department of Hareid and the lifeboat Halfdan Grieg were scrambled to keep the boat from sinking. The situation was brought under control with dewatering pumps. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

Dutch-flagged tank barge Naduah (CS: 135510, MMSI-No.: 244670612) collided with the tank barge Somtrans XXVII (CS PD5022; MMSI-No.: 244690353) off Koblenz on the Rhine on July 12. The Naduah came from the port and headed for the fairway, when the Somtrans XXVII running river upstream approached and crashed into the other ship in spite of attempts to slow down. The Naduah hit the Somtrans XXVII with its port side bow and suffered damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

36-m Norwegian-flagged F/V Skulbaren (CS: JWLH; MMSI-No.:259225000) carrying pollock, ran aground off the village Årviksand on Arnøya in the Skjervøy municipality on July 20. The ship got stuck off the pier. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

Norwegian-flagged cargo M/V Biostar (IMO: 9226176), ran aground on the west side of Vibrandsøy in the night of July 20. A diver discovered damage at rudder and propeller.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

847-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled inland barge Marcelina (EU-No.: 4012340), was in collision with the Polish-flagged pusher train Bison 0413 consisting of three units and loaded with 1300 tons limestones, on the Elbe-Side-Canal in the Gifhorn Community near Wittingen on July 15. Both ships suffered considerable damage. Divers were called from Leezen near Hannover and patched the leaks temporarily so that the ship could be dewatered. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

16071-gt Danish-flagged Scandlines-ferry Kronprins Frederik (IMO: 7803205), was in collision with the 20,381-gt German-flagged roro ferry Aurora (IMO: 8020599), in the port of Rostock whilst coming from Gedser on July 22. Both ships had slow speed, and they reached their respective berths following the collision. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

1139-gt Gibraltar-flagged cargo M/V CEG Cosmos (IMO: 8303173), suffered water ingress at the porpeller shaft and had to be repaired at the Husum Shipzard from July 8-15. 2012, The cause of the water ingress could not be solved. The ship sufferred simialr problem off Iceland in March.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-7-2012]

 

Seagull Transport ferry Skagit (built 1989) with 250 people on board capsized and sank between the east African coast and the Zanzibar archipelago on July 18. At least 62 people reported dead. Canadian company Scope Community Consultants Ltd. reported it brokered the sale of the ferry and that the ship was seaworthy at the time of sale. "Scope Community Consultants Ltd was asked to coordinate the purchase of two sister ferries from Washington State Ferries and shipping them from Seattle to Zanzibar last year," Scope representative Peter Shayo disclosed. The vessel officially carried 291 passengers and crew, including more than 30 children. But ferries in the region very often carry additional passengers who are not listed on the manifest. The sister vessel was Kalama, also built 1989. [20-7-2012]

 

Shell Oil's drill rig Noble Discoverer ran aground in Unalaska on 14 July. The Coast Guard refused to certify its oil spill containment barge and the EPA is reviewing the drill rig's air permits. There may be damage to the rig itself. Tug boat Lauren Foss strained against 35-knot winds to pull the rig back out to sea. [16-7-2012]

 

75,590-gt German-flagged MSC Flaminia carrying 25 crew suffered explosion and fire in a cargo hold mid-way between UK and Canada on July 14. Oil tanker DS Crown arrived on scene to aid in the evacuation. Six other merchant vessels also proceeded to the location to help with the search and rescue operation but were more than six hours from the location. Four crew had suffered injuries, one of which died. One other crew member is missing. [From Hildegard "Hilde" E. Krause, 16-7-2012] Click here for additional coverage. UPDATE>> Smit Salvage B.V. engaged under LOF 2011 - Lloyds Standard Form of Salvage Agreement (No Cure, No Pay) dated 14 July 2012. Three tugs sent to casualty site. Vessel is presently under tow, no port of refuge yet granted. Schlimme & Partner GMBH in Hamburg appointed as General Average Adjusters, in association with Rogers Wilkin Ahern LLP, London. [13-8-2012]

 

112-m-river Dutch-flagged cruise ship Regina Rheni (EU-No.: 02324591; CS PB6602), caught fire on the Rhine near Düsseldorf-Himmelgeist on July 13. The 102 British holidaymakers on board were transferred to another river cruise ship and taken to Düsseldorf. 10 of the mostly elder passengers suffered from smoke inhalation, but none of them or the crew of 40 was severely injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

85,000-gt Bahamas-flagged platform Yme (IMO: 8770429), all employees were evacuated from the platform, which is positioned between Egersund and Ekofisk in the Northsea on July 10 after the discovery of cracks in the substructure. A lack of safety documentation has led operator Talisman to stop the work on the platform for precautionary reasons. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

53-gt Danish-registered F/V Actinia - RI 220, (CS OYKX, MMSI-No.: 220541000) from Hvide Sande sank about 20 miles northwest of Blåvandshuk on July 9. The ship suffered water ingress in the engine room, which caused a total blackout, so that the bilge pumps could not be started. The F/V Merano took the casualty in tow, but within ten minutes the ship developed such a list that it had to be abandoned. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

Panama-flagged cargo M/V Tonodo carrying 32,000 tons of fertilizer got its propeller entangled with its anchor chain and has been stranded at Alpha anchorage in the bay near Chittagong since July 6. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

Swedish-flagged ferry Ebba Brahe (IMO:8816900), carrying 199 passengers and 22 cars enroute from Visingso, allided with the dock in Gränna on July 6. Several people fell overboard and cars were pushed into each other. Five people were hurt, four of them, three women and one man, had to be taken to the county hospital. Twelve cars sustained damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

Philippine-flagged passenger and cargo ship Miss Romblon enroute for Camotes, tilted in Danao port amid big waves and sank stern first on July 3. The half submerged wreck has been lying in the port ever since. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-2012]

 

The 59-year-old captain of the arrested 51,000–dwt bulker Sanko Mineral (built 2008) was medevaced from the vessel in Baltimore on Jul 12. US Coast Guard crews arrived at the scene, transferred the man to a response boat and took him to awaiting emergency personnel. The bulker has been stuck in Baltimore for two months and is subject to numerous arrest warrants. [16-7-12]

 

135-m cargo M/V Changqing 16, loaded with 10,168 tons of iron ore from Majishan Island, capsized in the Yangtze River in China on Jul 11. A total of 24 people were thrown into the water; two people have been killed and seven more remain missing. [16-7-12]

 

340–gt Norwegian cruiseship Polargirl (built 1962), with 28 people on board, ran aground in the Isfjord on July 10. The vessel was refloated in the evening and headed to Longyearbyen under its own power. All passengers were evacuated and transported by boat and helicopter to Longyearbyen. [16-7-12]

 

Chinese cargo M/V 2,700–dwt Long Shan (built 2006), en route from Mizushima, Japan to Guangzhou in China, ran aground and suffered an oil leak at Jeju Island off South Korea on Jul 10. Authorities have deployed booms around the vessel, and 10 coast guard ships are on standby at the scene. An investigation has begun. [16-7-12]

 

Yacht Always Summer was in a collision with 163,000–dwt tanker Minerva Georgia (built 2008) in the Kafireos Strait off Greece on Jul 8. The Always Summer suffered bow damage in the incident. The tanker anchored off Karystos following the collision. No injuries were reported. [16-7-12]

 

78,000-cbm Panama-flagged Linden Pride (built 2001) rescued four crewmen from a Chinese fishing trawler that sank in the South China Sea on Jul 10. The NYK-owned LPG carrier was alerted to the fishermen’s plight by Singapore's Port Operations Control Centre. [16-7-12]

 

6,300–hp supply ship Pacific Avenger (built 2008) suffered a crew fatality off Angola on July 10. A crewman was thrown from the vessel after a propeller accident. The man was recovered by a rescue boat seriously injured; he died en route to a hospital in Luanda. [16-7-12]

 

Costamare barge Jupiter, filled with soya beans, was in collision with M/V Prosper (built 1996) and sank off Lucanin Point in Mariveles, Philippines on Jul 8. Two crewmembers on board the barge were thrown into the sea, but were rescued by the Coast Guard. [16-7-12]

 

3,900-dwt Bulgarian cargo M/V Seawind (built 1986), which had been anchored for 11 months in a debt dispute, sank at the port of Fortaleza in Brazil on Jun 29. The vessel suffered hull damage and is partially submerged; two crewmembers remain onboard. [16-7-12]

 

3,000-dwt UK-flagged cargo M/V Coastal Isle (built 1991) hit rocks and ran aground off the Scottish island of Bute on Jul 3. Clyde Coastguard later confirmed the vessel was pulled free by a tug. [16-7-12]

 

1,579-ts Dutch-flagged barge Valparaiso (EU-No.: 02327099; CS PD2090), with a cargo of 1260 tons diesel fuel, ran aground on the Ijssel at Huissen on July 3. Tugs were called to pull the ship off, and the river was closed for ship traffic during the salvage work. The cause of the accident is unclear, a possible navigational mistake has been speculated. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-12]

 

3,125-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Coastal Isle (IMO: 9030333) ran aground at the south end of Bute on Jul 2. When the ship progressed north through the Firth of Clyde, there was a significant change of course from three or four degrees north to 61 degrees east-north-east. The vessel struck rocks at the southern tip of the island. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-7-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR JUNE 2012


 

A crowded Indonesian fishing boat carrying asylum seekers to Australia capsized and sank midway between Australia's Christmas Island and the main Indonesian island of Java on June 27. Three merchant ships, two Australian warships and an Australian air force plane that can drop life rafts to the sea responded to the capsizing. Four people are believed to have died and 130 others were rescued. Just on June 21, 110 people were rescued when a boat carrying more than 200 mostly Afghan asylum seekers capsized just 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the latest tragedy. Only 17 bodies were recovered. [28-6-2012]

 

258-gt Danish-flagged supplier Sander 2 (IMO: 8747109 ), caused an oil spill in the port of Wilhelmshaven from a storm enroute from Esberg to Norderney on June 25. The ship had suffered a leakage at the steering gear. Witnesses remarked intensive smell of oil and an oil film on the water. The fire brigade Wilhelmshaven was called and laid out oil booms. They were able to recover most of the oil. The ship was detained until it is safe to sail again. The police launched an investigation. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-6-2012]

 

797-ts Polish-flagged, self propelled barge West Oder 1 (EU-No.: 08348052; CS: SR2645), allided with a wooden pier in the port of Brake, Wesermarsch community, while berthing in order to take a cargo on June 19. The accident caused significant damage. A double-t-beam was pulled out and some bollards at the bow of the ship were damaged. The master of the ship did neither have a patent for sailing on inland waterways nor was the ship approved to do so. The master will thus face a prosecution. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-6-2012]

 

2,446-gt Bahamas-flagged cargo M/V Fortuna (IMO: 9051210 ), was in collision with a pleasure boat while entering the port of Falkenberg coming from Swinoujscie on June 20. No injuries reported, but the pleasure craft was damaged and took in water. The skipper was drug tested. He had fished off the harbor entrance when the cargo ship hit. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-6-2012]

 

The U.S. Navy is investigating the cause of a small fire that broke out at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on June 16 outside the USS Miami (SSN 755). A shipyard worker used a fire extinguisher to put out Saturday's fire. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 28-6-2012]

 

The U.K. marine insurer the Standard Club has stopped coverage for Russian operator Femco's cargo ship, MV Alaed, amid allegations it is carrying weapons to Syria. The vessel is currently off the north coast of Scotland. U.S. officials have claimed the ship is heading for Syria with attack helicopters and munitions for the al-Assad regime from the port of Kaliningrad. The withdrawal of coverage applies to the whole Femco fleet of eight vessels entered with the company. [18-6-12]

 

2040-ts German-flagged, self propelled barge Anna Krieger (EU-No.:04700360), carrying scrap metal broke out in a fire on June 15. The crew was able to tackle the fire after several failed attempts to get it extinguished. The master and his crew of three suffered smoke inhalation during their struggle. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-6-12]

 

French-flagged river cruise ship Gerard Schmitter (CS FM5004; MMSI-No.: 226005060) caught fire due to a technical malfunction on the Rhine while berthing in Krefeld in the evening of June 16. The 154 passengers, who were underway from Amsterdam to Strasbourg, and the crew of 34 had to be evacuated. One woman suffered a breakdown and was taken to hospital, one crew member was slightly injured. The fire in the wiring caused strong smoke develpoment. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-6-12]

 

47,000-dwt tanker High Power (built 2004) suffered a boiler explosion in Gibraltar on Jun 15. No fire resulted and there were no injuries or pollution. The ship will be required to submit a report on the incident to the Gibraltar Maritime Administration. [15-6-12]

 

A small boat was thrown against 4,500-gt supply ship ER Athina (built 2009) by a three-metre wave off Aberdeen, Scotland on Jun 10. There was one fatality; a seafarer on board the small boat became trapped between the two vessels and died from internal injuries following the accident. Police are investigating. [15-6-12]

 

700-dwt Iranian cargo M/V Niloufar Abi (built 1987) suffered a blaze on board while at the port of Baku in Azerbaijan on Jun 13. A cargo of 500 tons of metal oxide slag reportedly caught fire following watering. Firefighters brought the fire under control, and an investigation has begun. [15-6-12]

 

2,900–dwt general cargo M/V Grand (built 1974, en route from Aarhus, suffered an oil spill during cargo unloading operations in the German port of Rendsburg on Jun 13. German marine police found the second engineer of the vessel to be responsible for a bilge tank vent not being properly closed; the engineer was ordered to pay a security deposit. [15-6-12]

 

58,000-gt ro-ro ferry Stena Scandinavica (built 2003) arrived at Kiel from Sweden with toxic chemicals escaping from a 20-foot box on Jun 9. Parts of the port were closed by police while German firefighters decontaminated the leaking container. [15-6-12]

 

700-dwt cargo M/V Miss Ellisa (built 1969), en route to Trinidad with a cargo of rice, coconuts and other crops, capsized in the Demerara River in Guyana on Jun 8. One man was reported missing after the incident is feared dead. [15-6-12]

 

11,205-gt M/V Richard With (IMO: 9040429) was in a collision with a F/V on Jun 12. The Østfinnmark police was notified by the Rescue Coordination Centre about the accident off Vardø. There were no injuries, but the fishing boat suffered water ingress and had to be towed to Vardø by the lifeboat Gjert Wilhelmsen. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 15-6-12]

 

M/V Jociel-2, with 50 people on board, sank near El Nido, Palawan due to inclement weather on Jun 13. Three people were killed and several others are missing. The fatalities have yet to be identified but Coast Guard officials earlier confirmed that two of them were a child and an elderly person. All 16 crewmembers and 22 of the passengers were rescued. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 15-6-12]

 

Australian-flagged pipelay barge APC Aussie 1 allided with a bridge in strong winds and current in Indonesia on Jun 6. The incident forced local authorities to close the Raja Kecik Bridge (Bridge VI), destroying one side of the two-way bridge that connects the Galang Baru Islands to Galang Island in the northwest. Reports of any damage or casualties were not yet available. [9-6-12]

 

33,000-dwt Greek bulker Kifangondo (built 1989) suffered a small blaze while off Piraeus on Jun 7. A fireboat responded to the scene and the crew managed to put the fire out. The ship, operated by Socomar of Piraeus, will undergo class checks. [9-6-12]

 

2,602–teu containership Maersk Norwich (built 2006), sailing from Colobia, had a dead 12-m whale stuck on its bow when it arrived at the port of Rotterdam on Jun 6. Local university workers later removed part of the whale for research. [9-6-12]

 

2,800-dwt Turkish cargoship Mersa 2 (built 1973) ran aground on a reef on the island of Elba, Italy on Jun 1. The vessel, which suffered a three-to-four-metre gash in the starboard bow, was refloated on Jun 2 by a tug. No injuries or pollution were reported. [9-6-12]

 

An anchor chain snapped and killed a crewman on board 7,000-dwt cargoship Planet V (built 1994), en route from Antwerp to St Petersburg, in the Netherlands on May 26. The vessel suffered a loss of engine power and in trying to avoid a collision with a tug, attempted to lower its anchor when the chain broke. An investigation is underway. [9-6-12]

 

Belgian barge Rhonita collided with 15,000-cbm Chilean LPG carrier Polargas (built 1990), carrying a cargo of gas and ammonia, on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal on May 25. The captain of the Rhonita was arrested following the incident and given a breath test. No leaks were reported. [9-6-12]

 

2,803-teu Hapag-Lloyd containership Heidelberg Express (built 1989) caught fire while docked at the Motorenwerke yard in Bremerhaven on May 31. Four people were injured and treated at a hospital. Police said welding works in an empty diesel tank set alight remains of fuel, paint and rust. [9-6-12]

 

104,579-dwt Venezuelan-owned aframax tanker Yare (built 2011) hit a sandbank and ran aground while in the Caribbean on May 31. The vessel will undergo repairs to replace the steel plates that were damaged in the ballast tanks on both sides. No oil spills have been reported. [9-6-12]

 

3,300-dwt Russian-flagged M/V Kirsten (built 1995) ran aground off Mikelbaka near Ventspils on May 27. The vessel later managed to refloat under its own power. No damages were sustained. [9-6-12]

 

10,067-gt Danish-flagged scandlines ferry Hamlet (IMO: 9150030) carrying passengers waiting for departure at Helsingborg, several shots were fired by two offenders who were armed with automatic weapons during a robbery on board the vessel on June 3. The robbers then fled to the car deck, where a motorcycle waited, and escaped through a chopped hole in the fence. Strong police forces started chasing the robbers. Parts of Helsingborg were cordoned off, and a police helicopter was circulating over the area. The ferry remained in port until the police completed the investigation on board. Emergency assistance was deployed for the crew. [9-6-12]

 

US-flagged F/V Atlantic Breeze was taking on water due to running aground on June 5. Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., launched a 45-foot rescue boat crew and arrived on scene at approximately 7:54 p.m. Crewmembers safetly transferred the three boaters onto the rescue boat and transported them to Coast Guard Station Mayport. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-6-12]

 

162-gt Greek-flagged hydrofoil Flying Dolphin XIX (IMO: 8623365) ran aground with 59 passengers and a crew of six on board off the port of Aegina between the islands Angistri and Aegina on June 7. The passengers were transferred and taken to the port of Aegina. The cause of the grounding was unclear. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-6-12]

 

9,007-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled tank barge Jade (EU-No.: 2326538), allided with a piling of the Hartel Bridge in Rotterdam on June 7. The ship was breached and suffered water ingress in the foreship. The ship proceeded to the Rozenburg lock in the Botlek, where the alarmed rescue services were already waiting and started to dewater the ship. They could not keep it from partially sinking. Passing ship traffic was not affected. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-6-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR MAY 2012


 

7,000-dwt Planet V (built 1994) enroute from Antwerp to St Petersburg in the Westerscheldt suffered crew fatality. The vessel sufferred a loss of engine power and in trying to avoid a collision with a tug, attempted to lower its anchor on May 26. The anchor chain broke and hit a crewman. He died before the ambulance personnel could reach the scene. [From our Correspondent Gary Dixon, 30-5-12]

 

2,475-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled barge Stark (EU-No.: 02324699; CS: DG2847; ex RoRo Simmental), on its way to Hamburg allided with a bridge spanning the Main-Donau-Canal at Nürnberg on May 29. The ship was running down the canal when its wheelhouse crashed against the railway bridge. One woman was clamped in the destroyed wheelhouse and had to be freed by the fire rescue. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-5-12]

 

1,170-ts Czechian-flagged, self propelled barge Perun (EU-No.: 8451027), carrying 307 tons of fertilizer, ran aground on the Elbe at Pirna and was breached on May 26. Cargo hold and engine room remained undamaged. The ship was grounded on the left river shore. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-5-12]

 

1,853-ts German-flagged, self propelled barge Schwarze Perle (EU-No.: 02324600), allided with the South chamber of the Kostheim lock on the Main River on May 29. Both the upper part of the gate as well as the bow of the ship suffered significant damage. The South chmaber had to be closed following the allision. The police Wiesbaden arrested the barge which had suffered holes in the hull. A navigational mistake seems to have contributed to the accident according to police investigations. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-5-12]

 

1,105-ts Dutch-flagged tank barge Marina (EU-No.: 4002650) was severely damaged in a collision on the Mittelland Canal at Kalkriese on May 28. A Dutch-flagged self propelled barge had veered off course at canal km 43,6 due to a health problem of the helmsman. The Marina could not avoid the head-on-collision and ran into the sheet pilings afterwards as a result of the impact. The helmsman of the tank ship suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hospital. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-5-12]

 

154-gt British-flagged workboat Marineco Hathi (IMO-No.:9479723) ran aground on a breakwater at Oostende off Duin en Zee on May 23. The ship got stuck during an anchor manoever off the beach, but was refloated with the high tide. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-5-12]

 

11,822-gt Dutch-flagged tank M/V Polargas (IMO: 244067026), enroute from Pt. Lisas, was in collision with the Belgian-flagged self propelled barge Ronita (MMSI-No.: 205497390; CS OT4973 ) on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal on May 24. The emergency services were put on high alert because the Polargas was carrying ammonia and LPG. There was no evidence of leakage of hazardous substances. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-5-12]

 

2,089-gt Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V Cranz (IMO:7702126), ran aground when leaving the port of Vierow near Brünzow, Vorpommern-Greifswald-community, after having been in collision with a buoy on May 22. The anchor chain of the buoy obstructed the propeller. The ship had to be towed to a quay thereupon. When divers surveyed the ship's bottom, they found out that the ship had struck bottom during the incident. The police thought that the captain misjudged wind and current. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-5-12]

 

Groton-based USS Miami nuclear-powered attack submarine caught fire at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard late May 23. Six people, among them four firefighters, were injured trying to extinguish the blaze. The fire was in the forward compartment of the ship and all essential personnel were ordered to evacuate. The submarine's reactor was not operating when the fire started and was not affected by the blaze. The crew of 13 officers and 120 enlisted personnel brought USS Miami (SSN 755) to the shipyard on March 1 to undergo maintenance work and system upgrades. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-5-12]

 

NThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the decision of the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia convicting five Somali men of piracy, as proscribed by 18 U.S.C. § 1651, plus a "myriad other criminal offenses." The conviction arose from the April 2010 attack on the USS Nicholas on the high seas of the Indian Ocean between Somalia and the Seychelles; the men having confused the vessel for a vulnerable merchant ship. The men initiated fire on the vessel intending to attain its surrender. The crew of the USS Nicholas responded in kind, resulting in an exchange of fire that lasted less than 30 seconds without casualty. On appeal, the mens' legal team argued the crime of piracy has been narrowly defined as robbery at sea, whereas they boarded the USS Nicholas only as captives and took no property. The Court of Appeals disagreed, holding that § 1651 incorporates a definition of piracy that changes with advancements in the law of nations, and that piracy under the law of nations encompassed the mens' acts of violence directed against the USS Nicholas. United States v. Dire, No. 11-4310, No. 11-4311, No. 11-4312, No. 11-4313, No. 11-4317, UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 10371, September 20, 2011, Argued, May 23, 2012, Decided.

 

N488-ft U.S.-flagged cargo vessel Maersk Texas was reportedly attacked by pirates northeast of the Emirati port of Fujairah, Gulf of Oman, on May 23. Armed guards aboard the vessel thwarted the attack. The attack occurred near the tense waters of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for a fifth of the world's oil. Multiple pirate skiffs raced straight toward the ship around noon Wednesday despite warning shots fired by the guards on board. The suspected pirates opened fire, prompting ship guards to shoot back at them, according to Maersk. No one on the Maersk vessel was injured in the incident, and the ship continued its voyage to the U.S. Iranian news agencies reported that the suspected pirates fled when Iran's navy intervened after responding to an emergency call from the American ship. Lt. Cdr. Mark Hankey, a spokesman for the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces, was unable to confirm Iran's role in the incident. He also cast doubt on whether the event was an act of piracy at all. [24-5-12]

 

3,000-gt Greek ferry Aqua Jewel (built 2002), with 40 passengers on board, collided with two other vessels at the port of Kavala in Greece on May 22. The ferry hit the quay as it was leaving the port. No passengers or crewmembers were injured. An investigation has begun. [24-5-12]

 

11 vessels were held/cited by US port inspectors during the month of April, according to a report from the US Coast Guard. 15,000-cbm Clipper Skagen (ex-Havkatt, built 1989) was held at Saint Croix in the US Virgin Islands for deficiencies related to fire protection, cargo segregation and equipment maintenance. 94,813-dwt US-flagged Overseas Eliane (built 1994), on a voyage with Valero, was stopped in New Orleans, Louisiana; inspectors found a disabled quick-closing fuel shutoff valve and a disconnected air-line. 4,250-teu German containership ER New York (built 2003) was detained for an inoperable oily water separator (OWS) in Houston, while Netherlands-flaggedvessel Spliethoff was cited for similar but more serious deficiencies in Baltimore, Maryland. 21,400-dwt heavylift vessel Singelgracht (built 2000) was held for a malfunctioning OWS, and presence of oil in discharge piping and the overboard discharge valve. 13,988-dwt open-hatch bulker Arklow Willow (built 2004, managed by Ireland’s Arkow Shipping) was stopped in Norfolk, Virginia for fuel oil leaks and pools that pose a serious risk of fire to the vessel and crewmembers. [24-5-12]

 

A seafarer was killed after taking a shortcut to disembark 508-teu German containership Dette G (built 1995) in the UK on May 16. The seaman used the pilot gate instead of the accommodation ladder on the vessel, fell into a narrow 50-cm gap between the vessel and the quay, and suffered a fractured skull. The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating. [24-5-12]

 

2,800-dwt Turkish cargoship Erol Senkaya (built 2003), carrying olive pellets from Zakynthos to Turkey, capsized in calm waters off the island of Zakynthos in Greece on May 19. Greek authorities rescued six crewmembers, recovered one body believed to be the captain, and another three remain missing. Authorities speculated that a cargo shift was to blame. [24-5-12]

 

4,000-dwt Norwegian cement carrier Jebsen (built 1991) ran aground off Sweden on May 13. The vessel sustained a small crack to the bow thruster room, but was freed and refloated the next day. The vessel was later cleared to proceed to its discharge port. [24-5-12]

 

76,000–dwt bulker Panos Earth (built 1984) broke down while en route to China from Venezuela with iron ore, and has been stuck off Cape Town for engine repairs since Mar 9. Pacific Bulk Carriers (PBC) of Chile says its bulker has been disabled off South Africa by bad fuel supplied by its Chinese charterer. The Chilean owner is fully committed to solving the situation, but that lack of help from the P&I club and cargo owner is endangering the crew and the environment. [24-5-12]

 

58-m Ukrainian-flagged pusher-ship Praga (MMMSI-No.: 272036100; CS EMOG) allided with pillars of a bridge spanning the Danube River near Novi Sad on May 19. The bridge was closed to road and rail traffic, and teams of inspectors determined the bridge did not sustain serious damage to the pillar. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-5-12]

 

Fuel ship Tongyin No 6, carrying 9 crewmembers, sank at the mouth of the Yangtze River on May 20. Reservoirs supplying the majority of Shanghai's water have been closed following the incident. A clean-up operation is under way. The amount of oil leaked is unknown. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-5-12]

 

247-gt Belgian-flagged trawler Marbi (IMO: 7936791; CSOPBG) capsized while trying to pull a ship into a slip of a repair yard on May 14. After a cable broke, the ship slid down 50 metres back towards the water and listed about 45 degrees onto its starboard side. Both the slip and the trawler suffered significant damage. The master and the engineer who were on board during the accident escaped uninjured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-5-12]

 

Mohammad Saaili Shibin, a 50-year-old Somali man, was convicted on 27 April in a Virginia federal court after being found guilty of participating in the capture of the U.S. yacht Quest that ended with the deaths of four U.S. citizens. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 13 August. Mohammad Saaili Shibin worked from the Somali mainland and his job was to negotiate ransoms. He was not charged with the actual murders of Scott and Jean Adam, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, who were fatally shot aboard the Quest in February 2011. But he was found guilty of numerous charges including kidnapping, hostage-taking, piracy and conspiracy. He is reportedly the highest-ranking pirate ever convicted. [18-5-12]

 

Swiss-flagged river cruise ship Avalon Panorama (EU-No.: 02333460) enroute Netherlands-Budapest allided with a road bridge spanning the Main-Donau-Canal near Forchheim on May 16. The wheelhouse had not been lowered enough when the ship entered the Forchheim lock due to a misjudgement of the master who escaped without injury as he had steered the ship from an outer helm. The wheelhouse and superstructure of the river cruise ship were severely damaged. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-5-12]

 

French-flagged gilnetter Haura (MMSI-No.: 227319450; CS FS9760), sank off Mimizan (Landes), after striking a floating object and causing water ingress on May 21. All crew and passengers left unscathed.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-5-12]

 

39,193-gt Swedish-flagged ferry Stena Spirit (IMO: 7907661), allided with a container gantry in Gdynia on May 17. The crane collapsed onto containerstacks below. The Three port workers were injured, two of them seriously. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-5-12]

 

1,380-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled barge Emerald (EU-No.: 02205056 ) collided with a pleasure boat in South Vlije on May 17. The two boaters from Tilburg were saved by the lifeboat Hellegat and brought to Dirksland. The Water Police of the National Police Agency was investigating the cause of the accident. The shipping was not affected by the wreck. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 18-5-12]

 

NEU forces completed a landmark raid on a pirate camp on the Somali coast. A number of pirate skiffs were destroyed after the helicopter assault on May 18. While the counter-piracy task force explains it is too early to judge how successful the attack has been, it confirms no Somali casualties occurred. Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, operation commander of the EU Naval Force, said: “We believe this action by the EU Naval Force will further increase the pressure on, and disrupt pirates’ efforts to get out to sea to attack merchant shipping and dhows. The local Somali people and fishermen – many of whom have suffered so much because of piracy in the region, can be reassured that our focus was on known pirate supplies and will remain so in the future.” [18-5-12]

 

61,153-dwt container vessel MSC Idil (IMO 9036002, built 1992), reported to have 588,000 gallons of fuel oil and 62,000 gallons of diesel on board, suffered an explosion and water ingress approximately 60-nm north of San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 11. The explosion was most likely caused by welding that was taking place on board the vessel; it caused damage to the vessel’s hull, fuel tank and cargo holds. The crew of 25 was able to stabilize the vessel and control the situation, and no hazardous materials have been released into the environment. The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation, and a commercial salvage company will assess the condition of the vessel and damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen and our Correspondent Hildegard "Hilde" E. Krause, 14-5-12]

 

2,429-gt Bahamas-flagged cement carrier Malta Cement (IMO 8911841), en route from Wismar to Västeräs with a cargo of 3,700 tons of cement, ran aground off Mörkö on May 13. The vessel was refloated 12 hours later and arrived at Västeräs for assessment of damages. There were no signs of oil leakage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

105-m German tank barge Lux (MMSI-No.: 211559370; CS DM2046), with a crew of 4and a cargo of 1900 tons of diesel fuel, caught fire on the Rhine off Leubsdorf on May 14. Several fire brigades were called to the vessel and the fire was brought under control. The Rhine had to be closed for ship traffic between Linz and Breisig until the vessel was towed away. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

Dangerous ammonia vapors escaped from a truck on the main deck of 24,688-gt Stena Forecaster (IMO 9214678) while en route from Hanko to Luebeck on May 13. The Luebeck fire department responded to the scene and found that the leaking truck was carrying hazardous waste aluminum, which had started to react with water; highly toxic ammonia fumes spread through the ventilators over the whole main deck. The ferry was berthed at the Seeland Quay and the trailer was brought ashore in a mobile hazardous tub; a criminal investigation has been launched because the waste shipment was illegal. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

Half of Sydney's Port Botany container terminal, DP World section of the wharves, was shut down on May 14 due to a suspected chemical leak on board 45,625-dwt Malta-flagged boxship California Senator (IMO 9071533, built 1994). The ship docked with a 1000-litre storage drum leaking nitric acid in the hold. Firefighters scrambled on board to decant the contents of the drum and contain the leak. The contents were emptied and all the contaminated products were removed by a contractor. The area has now been neutralized and made safe. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

128-ft F/V Deep Sea sank as a result of an on-board fire while anchored in Penn Cove off Whidbey Island on May 12. The Coast Guard, several Fire Departments, Salvage crews and investigators responded to the scene. An assessment dive has been scheduled to plug vents and seal the vessel’s fuel tanks to prevent any leakage. Oil booms have been placed around the area of the sunken vessel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

Argentine-flagged tank M/V Rio Turbio (MMSI-No.: 701006241; CS LW3219) was in a collision with the 295-gt Paraguay-flagged tug Ava Payagua (IMO: 9551090) in Paraná de las Palmas in the Rio Parana on May 12. The Rio Turbio sank; its engineer was taken to a nearby hospital with hypothermia, but seven other crewmembers remain missing. Navy Rescue Service, Fire and Environmental Protection of Buenos Aires and Campana, and the Coast Guard were all on scene to search for the missing crew. Three of the tug's crewmembers, including the master and the helmsman, were taken into custody, and the tug was detained for inspection. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

2,052-ts Dutch-flagged self-propelled barge Amandus (EU-No.: 02322992), carrying a cargo of stones, suffered water ingress in the engine room and sank in the Marker Sea on May 12. Salvage vessels and police boats responded to the scene, but attempts to stop the flooding with pumps failed. All three crewmembers were rescued, and oil leaks are being monitored by the Coast Guard. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

N156,000-dwt Liberian-flagged Suezmax tanker Smyrni (IMO 9493779, built 2011), loaded with 135,000-mt of crude oil, was hijacked by Somali pirates 250 nm off the Oman coast in the Arabian Sea on May 10. The vessel was transiting in the International Transit Corridor and reportedly did not have a security team on board. No additional information available. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

NA maritime security alert was issued for the Gulf of Guinea on May 9. Two supply vessels were attacked off Nigeria within 24 hours of each other: a supply vessel carrying 17 crewmembers was hijacked approximately 40 nm from the coast, and held for about 11 hours before being released without harm on May 7; six armed pirates boarded a supply vessel towing a barge approximately 20 nm south of Pennington oil terminal on May 8 – the crew had their possessions stolen and found minor damage to the vessel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

N13,263-dwt Singapore-flagged tanker Savvy (IMO 9328699, built 2005) was approached by two high speed boats and boarded by 8 to 10 pirates approximately 30 nm northeast of Horsburgh Lighthouse on May 9. The master carried out evasive maneuvers and sealed all access from inside; the pirates failed to gain access to the accommodation block and the engine room and escaped in their speed boats. The incident was reported to the Singapore’s Port Operations Control Centre (POCC). [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

French trawler Evann Emma (MMSI-No.: 227904000) suffered water ingress and was sinking at the dock fishing port of Brest on May 9. Firefighters responded immediately with divers and pumping equipment. The water ingress had been caused by a leaking seacock into the engine room. No one was on board; the vessel was towed to St. Guénolé Penmarc'h for repairs. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

37-ft F/V Karanna ran aground on the Chibahdehl Rocks in rough seas about 4 miles west of Neah Bay on May 9. The Coast Guard rescued three fishermen from the vessel. The operator of the boat told Coast Guard members that he had fallen asleep before the boat ran aground. Salvage efforts will resume once seas are calmer. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 14-5-12]

 

1,596-gt the Russian cargo M/V Lezhevo (IMO: 9137870), en route from Bilbao to Bornholmgat, collided with yacht Huglo in the Kiel Canal on May 8. The yacht was badly bawled amidship and suffered significant damage. However, the M/V remained afloat and was able to enter the port of Rendsburg. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

2,350-gt Norwegian trawler Remøy Viking (IMO: 9211030) was arrested in Tromsø on May 7. The Seamen's Union ordered the shrimper to be taken into custody to ensure the settlements of the crew; a claim of 5 million crowns was set up by a lawyer of the Norwegian Seamen's Association, on behalf of the crew of 20. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

24,252-gt vessel Santa Ana (IMO 9037159) suffered a deflagration in the engine room while berthed at the Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven on May 9. 55 rescue workers were on scene to put the fire out. 11 workers suffered injuries, one suffered life-threatening injuries; all were taken to local hospitals. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

2,854-gt Norwegian cargo M/V Nordic Chantal (IMO 9100138) allided with the gate of the southern old lock in Brunsbuettel while entering the Kiel Canal on May 9. Both lock gate and ship suffered significant damage. The vessel remains berthed at the pilings in the canal port of Brunsbuettel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

711-dwt Senegal-flagged general cargo M/V Cape Saint Georges (IMO 7312529, built 1973) ran aground at Ziguinchor, Senegal on May 4. Additional details are currently unknown. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

Philippine-flagged ferry Grand Star Roro 3 (IMO 8631087), with 155 passengers and 13 vehicles on board, ran aground in strong current at the shallow part of Sorsogon Port, 1,600 yards off Matnog Port, on May 8. The Coast Guard Detachment Matnog coordinated with the grounded vessel and side-towed the ferry until it arrived safely at Matnog Port. All passengers onboard were safely disembarked. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

Shrimper Brown Eyed Girl broke loose from F/V Four Girls 2 and allided with the Harbor River Bridge between St. Helena Island and Harbor Island in Beaufort on May 6. Local fishermen helped to pump water out of the boat, while rescue workers untangled the boat's lines from the bridge; the vessel was eventually freed and towed away. Only one of four crewmembers on board was injured. The bridge will be surveyed. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

68,060-grt Norway-flagged car carrier Hoegh Asia (IMO 9191876, built 2000) ran aground while entering Livorno port on May 4. The Coast Guard coordinated a salvage operation; the vessel was refloated with the help of tugs and successfully berthed in Livorno on May 5. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

41,850-dwt Liberian-flagged boxship Cap Norte (IMO 9334351, built 2007), loaded with 15 tons of chemical polyamide sulfide, caught fire while off Mangalore on May 5. The Coast Guard responded immediately, but the crew of 24 managed to extinguish the fire themselves. The vessel continued its route. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

1,537-dwt Comoros-flagged general cargo M/V Kay L (IMO 8407216, built 1984) suffered engine failure while approaching Nara bend, Dardanelles on May 5. Dardanelles Vessel Traffic Control immediately dispatched tugs to the disabled vessel, which was later safely anchored. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

42-ft Canadian F/V Jesse G got caught in moderate winds and an opposing tide and capsized off Cape Beale, Vancouver Island in Canada on May 4. The Canadian Coast Guard dispatched a rescue boat to the scene; all six crewmembers on board were pulled out of the water safely – only one reported slight injuries. Authorities later placed booms around the grounded vessel to contain any pollution. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

80-ft F/V Martin Tower suffered water ingress 30 miles NE of South Padre Island on May 4. The US Coast Guard sent a 41-ft boat from South Padre Island Station and an HU-25 Guardian Jet from the Corpus Christi Air Station to assist; all 3 crewmembers were rescued, and the ship was dewatered and towed to Brownsville. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

F/V Julie Cedric 4 alerted the MRCC Gris Nez that F/V Le Pomme was missing on May 5. A zuDolphon-helicopter and lifeboats Notre Dame de Bonsecours and Commandant Chandelier were sent from Le Touquet; the helicopter located the capsized Le Pomme 2 km north of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. One body was recovered and a second man was found dead near Saint-Aubin beach. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

Passenger vessel Dodi Princess was gutted by fire on the Volta Lake at Akosombo on May 4. The Volta River Authority (VRA) fire service and reinforcements responded to the scene and put the fire out. The vessel, which normally serves as a restaurant for to tourists and can sit about 350 people at a time when it is stationary, suffered extensive damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

40-foot fiberglass scallop dredging boat Lady Leah ran aground near the Montauk Lighthouse while entering Block Island Sound on May 4. Salvage crews worked to remove sand and rocks from behind and underneath the vessel’s hull; the Lady Leah was refloated and pulled off a rocky beach on May 5. Coast Guard officials reported no fuel spills. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

43-ft troller Igloo ran aground after cutting the corner too close at the south end of the Sitka runway on May 5. Both the harbor master and Search and Rescue responded to the vessel. The skipper and deckhand were momentarily distracted with tending to gear when the Igloo struck a hazard known as two-fathom rock. The vessel is not in immediate danger of sinking. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

43,288-dwt, Panama-flagged Boxship MSC Brianna (IMO 8410952, built 1986) allided with Kingston Wharves berth in Port Bustamante, Jamaica on May 3. The Kingston Wharves Terminal suffered some damage; the vessel was allowed to leave Jamaica on May 5. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 10-5-12]

 

1,870-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled barge Brisani (EU-No.: 02323366) allided with the Brielen Bridge in Tisselt on the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal on Apr 25. The mast and roof of the wheelhouse were torn off and fell into the canal. The fire department of Willebroek rushed to the scene. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-5-12]

 

14,551-gt Danish-flagged ferry Hammerodde (IMO: 9323699 ) broke lose from its moorings at the cruise ship quay in Rønne on Apr 29. The ferry then collided with Danish-flagged lifeboat Mads Jakobsen (IMO:9256080) which suffered a hole in the hull. The ferry then allided with the stone quay at the Rønne rescue station. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-5-12]

 

438-gt Qatar-flagged Svitzer tug Al Deebel (IMO: 9142784 ) carrying 12 people sufferred a violent gas explosion which killed seven people on May 1. The circumstances surrounding the explosion have not yet been elucidated. The Tug had sailed out to conduct maintenance work on a so-called SPM buoy (Single-Point Mooring), from which liquid gas is pumped into LNG tankers. The tug was located in the immediate vicinity of the buoy when the explosion occurred. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-5-12]

 

1520-gt Togo-flagged dredger Shahaan (IMO: 6908931) made an unplanned stop on Medem Roads, to find out that the Lithuanian captain had suddenly died on May 2. The ship had allided with a buoy in the Elbe estuary before whilst coming from Klaipeda. When the water police boarded the ship to question the man who suffered a heart attack. Their attempts to resuscitate him remained unsuccessful. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-5-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR APRIL 2012


 

225,282-gt Bahamas-flagged cruise ship Allure of the Seas (IMO: 9383948) carrying passengers was alerted by a bang followed by smoke on Apr 20. Fire instructions were given to the crew and passengers were evacuated from parts of the ship. The ship drifted between one and two hours before continuing with the only one functioning machine left after the small and short-lived engine fire was extinguished. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

82-ft special operations craft Mark V collided with a fisherman's boat carrying a father and son near Basilan on Apr 19. The Mark V gunboat was operating with the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, based in nearby Zamboanga, and is often used in training and operations with Navy SEALs. The fishing boat had no lights on when it was struck by the Mark V. The impact killed the fisherman leaving the son seriously hurt. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

Japanese-flagged high speed ferry Toppy carrying 190 passengers enrotue Kagoshima - Yakushima Island had a collision at sea with a whale on Apr 22. The collision injured five people and left the rest of the passengers feeling unwell. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

A skipper and his crewman of 36-ft fishing trawler Sea Bird p283 carrying 1000 litres of diesel were rescued just seconds before it sank off the Hampshire coast on Apr 24. Solent Coastguard received a Mayday call from the skipper reporting that they were sinking one-and-half miles from Langstone Harbour. The two men were recovered by a Portsmouth RNLI Lifeboat. [From Charles Emberton, 25-4-12]

 

British-flagged F/V Progress carrying two crew members was struck by lightning in the afternoon of Apr 20 when fishing a few miles off North Foreland. The lightning hit the wheelhouse shattering the windows. The strike also destroyed all the electrical equipment and navigation lights. Luckily, both crew members were on the deck at the time and so escaped injury. Using a mobile phone the crew called the Ramsgate RNLI Lifeboat for assistance. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

20-m Plymouth-flagged harbour tug Aquarius (built 1965) sank in heavy seas off France leaving one man missing, feared dead, on Apr 23. Ten minutes after the frantic distress call the tug sank and two of the three man crew managed to get into a life raft. The third crew member did not manage to get into the raft and disappeared. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

NItalian-flagged tanker Enrico Ievoli (IMO: 9188415 ) carrying 18 crew and 16000 tons caustic soda was released by its Somalian hijackers on Apr 23. The ship left Somalian waters escorted by Italian soldiers to a safe port and will later resume its voyage to Italy. The captain said everyone aboard was fine and the situation under control. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

Cargo ship Hanavunda carrying seven crew members and a cargo of cement and stone, sank 70 miles off the Mangalore coast on Apr 22. The entire crew and captain were rescued and brought back to shore saely. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-4-12]

 

17,400-dwt Dutch general cargo vessel Amstelborg (built 2006) spilled up to 35 tonnes fuel oil after being battered in a storm while berthed in Gemlik, Turkey on April 18. Strong winds pushed the vessel against the pier. [22-4-12]

 

One worker was killed and three others injured in an explosion at a Singapore shipyard on April 20. The accident occurred on Friday morning at the plant in Benoi Road while work was being carried out on a tug. [22-4-12]

 

Titan Salvage of the U.S. and Micoperi of Italy were awarded a partnership contract to refloate the capsized Costa Concordia. The salvage operation, worth $288 million, is anticipated to take approximately one year and is scheduled to begin in early May. Industry leader Smit in particular was seen as a strong contender as it had already removed the bunkers of the Costa Concordia. Smit undertook the pollution prevention contract in partnership with the Livorno based Neri towage and salvage group. The salvage operation, which requires regulatory approval, proposes sealing the gashes in the hull of the Costa Concordia and then refloating and righting the vessel with airbag assistance. Although the hull will be raised intact rather than broken up where the vessel lies, it is not yet clear if the operation will ultimately prove to be a salvage or wreck removal. [22-4-12]

 

174-dwt Dutch-flagged river cruise ship Bellriva (EU-No.: 07001702 ) carrying 157 persons, among them 114 passengers and a crew of 43, ran aground enroute Basel-Colonia at Elchesheim-Illingen on the Rhine on Apr 17. The fire brigade tried to dewater the ship which was still in danger of sinking. Divers were called in order to locate and patch the leak. The passengers were transferred onto a river cruise ship. No one was injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

5,008-ts Dutch-flagged, self propelled container barge Sensation (EU-No.:2326239; CS: PD2705), allided with the Willems Bridge on the New Maas in Rotterdam on Apr 18. Six to seven containers, some of them empty, went over board. A dive team and a rescue team were sent to the scene. The shipping between the William Bridge and the Erasmus Bridge was partially obstructed, vessels were allowed to pass the Sensation with slow speed on the southern river side. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

6,386-gt Dutch-flagged container M/V Sirrah (IMO:9255402) collided with 20-m German-flagged tug Vorwarts (MMSI-NO.: 211173930) after enduring an engine failure when leaving the Great North Lock Brunsbüttel for eastbound transit of the Kiel Canal enroute Flushing-St. Petersburg on April 18. The bulbous bow of the freighter dented the hull of the tug about 50 centimeters deep, so that an auxiliary diesel engine was torn from its foundation and several pipes broke. After the collision the Sirrah was kept on site by tugs which were by chance on scene. The cause for the failure was a defect in the lubricating oil system. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

The man who fell about six metres down on the 2,140-gt Norwegian-flagged cargo ship Svealand, (IMO: 9390276) on April 3, is now dead. The 44-year-old engineer from Sandnes had suffered injuries to his head and multiple fractures. The man was transported to Stavanger University Hospital by air ambulance but died as a result of his injuries.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

12,862-gt Norwegian-flagged chemical tanker Straum (IMO: 9406726) suffered a fire in the engine room between Hollings and Aukra off the Aker Yards in the morning of Apr 20. The tanker was outward bound from Hustadmarmor in Fræna. The crippled ship was attended by a coastguard and a rescue boat, and a tug was expected on scene at around 12.30 in order to pull the ship to Moldegård.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

10,842-gt Liberian-flagged Hansa Lubeck (IMO: 8909068) was involved in a suspected accident at the Bijleveld-east port in Flushing on Apr 19. Dutch police noticed suspicious persons, boarded the ship and found 45 kilos of cocaine with a value of at least 2.25 million Euro. The crew was interrogated and the ship banned from sailing for the length of investigations. On Apr 20 short past midnight the ship sailed for Paramaribo.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 22-4-12]

 

424-gt Spanish catamaran ferry Maverick Dos (IMO: 8921937) remains hard aground on a rocky island off Formentera. The ship is to be removed by a 600-ton crane and lifted onto a barge, and then pulled into the port of Dénia. A salvage plan for the ferry was submitted on Apr 11. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

295-gt Norwegian trawler Ramnfjord (MMSI-No.: 258284000), carrying about 50 tons of marine diesel in its tanks, ran aground at Hustadvika on Apr 12. Approximately 46 tonnes of diesel fuel were spilled into the sea, but evaporated quickly. The salvage company is now submitting a plan to remove the casualty from the rocks. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

Spanish tug Mediterraneo V caught fire while moored in the port of Burriana on Apr 15. Firefighters from Nules were quickly mobilized and the fire was contained on deck. The vessel suffered considerable damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

33,338-gt, Hong Kong-flagged bulkcarrier Akiba (IMO 9558701) ran aground in Maputo Bay recently. The disabled vessel was towed into Durban harbour for inspections and repairs on Apr 8. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

37,301-gt, Malta-flagged, cruise ship Saga Sapphire (IMO: 7822457) encountered engine problems in one of the two main engines while sailing from Barcelona on Apr 11. Passengers that were on this cruise were flown home to the UK on Apr 16. The ship is berthed in the harbour at Valencia and has been awaiting repairs since Apr 12. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

38,267-gt, Hong Kong-flagged, bulkcarrier Red Sea (IMO 9052604) collided with Swedish F/V Isabella - SIN 177 20 miles NW of Hanstholm on Apr 8. German authorities investiageted the incident and found no visible damages to the Red Sea; the Isabella was damaged at the bow and took on a little water, but was able to sail to Hanstholm with its own power for further inspections. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

33,967-gt, Swedish-flagged, cruise-ferry Stena Saga (IMO: 7911545 ), with 1,392 passengers and 180 crewmembers onboard, suffered a minor explosion in its engine room while south of Drøbak on Apr 7. The blast sparked a fire that was quickly contained. The vessel was able to continue sailing towards Oslo, and was cleared to sail back to Denmark the same night. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

892-ts, German flagged, self propelled barge Weserkrone (EU-No.: 04201120) ran aground on the Elbe at the entrance of the Albert Port in Dresden on Apr 7. The vessel was refloated and pulled to the Laubegaster yard for surveys and repairs of its damaged rudder on Apr 12. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

A tugboat assisting with the interior renovations at the Statue of Liberty, preparing to transport a 60-ton construction crane, capsized off Liberty Island on Apr 6. Two people were rescued from the water by the crew of a nearby NY Waterways sightseeing boat and the U.S. Park Police Marine Unit. Four others on board were able to scramble atop the tug as it rolled onto its side. The cranewas completely submerged. A boom was deployed in the water to contain any fuel leak. The cause of the incident is under investigation. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-4-12]

 

Container vessel Hyundai Singapore, Oakland to Busan, suffered a loss of approximately 150 containers overboard and damage to another 92 containers, as well as fires in 2 reefer containers, when she encountered a storm off Urup Island, Russia in the Northwest Pacific on April 5. [9-4-2012]

 

Towing M/V Altro Donna carrying 3 crew members and pushing 8 empty red-flag barges, alldied with a piling near Commodore Dock in Marrero, New Orleans, and then sank on Apr 6. The vessel had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil. All three crewmembers disembarked safely before the vessel sank. Currently on scene are five pollution responders from Sector New Orleans and five response personnel from ES & H, as well as one 26-foot response boat from ES & H. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident. [From Sector New Orleans, 9-4-12]

 

6388-dwt Hong Kong-flagged cargo M/V New Lucky VII (IMO: 9341029, built 2011) carrying 17 crew members went missing in the East China Sea on April 3. On April 5 a patrol plane spotted a life raft carrying 9 of the crew members about 37 miles from the vessel's last known position. During the rescue another life raft was located carrying 2 more crew members. None of the crew members were injured and all seemed to be doing well despite having been at sea for 2 days. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 4-9-12]

 

Royal Caribbean Cruise vessel Oasis of the Seas rescued 23 Cuban migrants after someone aboard sppoted their small boat. The migrants were turned over to Mexican authorities when the vessel arrived in Cozumel on April 5. The regional Mexican newspaper Por Esto reported April 6 that the Cuban migrants told journalists in Cozumel they were from the areas of Manzanillo and Bayamo and that they had set to sea in a makeshift boat three weeks ago, trying to reach Honduras. [6-4-12]

 

KNRM-boat Koning Willem I was alerted after 28-gt Dutch-flagged shrimper Hoop op Zegen (CS PD403) had run aground east of the buoy Westgat on Apr 4. The ship had got its propeller fouled by a net and then sprung a leak. Upon arrival of the lifeboat it was decided first to pull off the ship from the ground. But during this manoever, the water ingress increased, and the ship was grounded again and an additional pump brought into action. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

1,817-gt Bolivian-flagged roro M/V Sea Flower (IMO: 7053238) broke out in a fire in Miragoâne on Apr 4. One person was killed and another injured. The cargo of used vehicles and other goods was damaged. The origin of the fire remains undetermined and the absence of a local fire brigade caused a rage among dozens of spectators who tried to ransack the facilities of the port. Only one hour later, firefighters from Port-au-Prince arrived on scene. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

82-m unidentified cargo M/V carrying seven crew members hit rocks off Conwy coast on April 3. Two lifeboats and a helicopter were called to the rescue. The vessel's fule tanks may have been ruptured and pollution crews are on alert. [From Charles Emberton & Ashley Black, 6-4-12]

 

1,300-gt Swedish-flagged cargo M/V Sterno (IMO: 7035420) enroute Uddevalla-Skive ran aground on a sandbar in the Göta Alv south of Lödöse in the night of Mar 27. The grounding was caused by an engine blackout. An empty fuel tank of the ship was breached, but there was no oil spill. The Coast Guard drug tested the crew with negative result. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

7,720-gt Cyprus-flagged container M/V Transanund (IMO: 9349215), had overtaken the slow-moving container M/V Heinrich Ehler causing a broken bow line, a damaged gangway and a damaged bunker hose on the Kiel Canal on Mar 27. Investigations were launched against the second officer of the freighter because of the suspicion of inappropriate speed. He had to pay a security deposit. The investigation by the Water Police is continuing. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

10,318-gt Cyprus-flagged container vessel Nordic Philip (IMO: 9483669) allided with pilings in the Kiel Canal at Kudensee on Mar 26. In dense fog the ship hit two of the pilings in the passing point. One completely broke off and drifted in the canal, a second was kinked and emerged only half a metre above the water. The ship proceeded without reporting the accident, but the police could identify the container ship by the paint scraped off. The police boarded the ship after it berthed in the Kiel-Holtenau locks around 2 p.m. The Ukrainian captain claimed that he did not notice an allsion, but the police found scrapes at the foreship. The police took paint samples and launched an investigation against the captain. He had to pay a safety fine. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

Taiwan-flagged F/V Hsin Fu Ta No 168 overturned and drifted on Mar 25. Seven crew members are missing. Rescuers believe the ship was caught in heavy wind and waves when returning to shore. Rescue vessels, helicopters and divers have been sent to search the sea and the cabins of the boat, but no one has been found so far.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

1,297-gt Finnish-flagged cargo M/V Ramona allided with the railway bridge between Aalborg and Nørresundby on Mar 28. The ship suffered only minor damage, but the bridge was so badly damaged that it might be out of service for up to six months. When the ship approached the bridge, the captain remarked that the drawbridge was not opened. He tried to stop, but the ship ran into the construction. A preliminary investigation of the railway bridge showed that the bridge suffered such extensive damage that rail traffic in northern Jutland had to be halted. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

2,715-gt Bahamas-flagged cargo M/V Imi (IMO: 9063873) carrying woodchips allided with the pier at Corpach, near Fort William on Mar 28. No one was injured as a result of the incident.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

93,496-gt Danish-flagged container M/V Anna Maersk (IMO: 9262401) was hit by a fatal accident in the port of Kobe, in connection with a man-overboard drill on Mar 28. The suspension of a rescue boat failed, and the recue boat crashed into the water from a significant height. A Filipino crewmember was killed, while a Danish officer was badly injured. Until the cause has been established, all the company's container ships received orders not to carry out man-overboard drills.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

551-gt Norwegian-flagged dredger M/V Nidaro (IMO: 6511984) tore down a high voltage cable in the North bay of Solfjellsjoen on Mar 29. The ship has ripped off the wires. The collision has caused a power outage on the island Donna from Olfoten to Glein, including Solfjellsjøen and Våg.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

A 70-meter long barge being pushed by the Polish-flagged tug Fabico-3 (MMSI-No.:261182480, EU-No.: 8351124) sank on the Mittelland Canal between Seelze and Gummer on Mar 31. The vessels were berthed at a quay when the barge sank with it’s cargo of 270 tons of slag on a depth of 4,5 metres. The local fire department responded and placed an oil boom around the sunken vessel. No reports of injuries. The convoy of vessels were en route to the Dortmund-Ems Canal from Salzgitter. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-4-12]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR MARCH 2012


 

3,100-TEU Singapore-flagged carrier M/V Bareli carrying 1,913 containers and 1100 tons of heavy fuel oil for West Africa ran aground on a reef off the northern Fujian coast across the strait of Taipei on Mar 21. The vessel has sufferred a crack in its fore body and is taking on water while beached on the rocks. No reports of an oil spill but booms have been placed as a prevention. [26-3-2012]

 

U.S.-flagged roll-on/roll-off ship Alliance Norfolk carrying automobiles and military cargo from the United States to the Middle East was caught in a heavy storm off Malta when its cargo broke loose and a fire began on Mar 13. The crew was able to extinguish the fire and anchor the vessel off Piraeus. [26-3-2012]

 

70-gt Dutch-flagged shrimper Breehorn (MMSI-No.: 245150000; CS PBAT) ran aground one kilometer north of Katwijk on Mar 22. The vessel was close to the coast and got stuck on a sand bar before low tide. About two hours before the water reached its peak, the ship refloated with own power. There seemed to have been no damage to the shrimper. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-3-2012]

 

1,666-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Esmee (EU-No.: 02322454) carrying 900 tons of grain hit a power line on the Main Danube Canal at Schwanstetten and caused a power shortage on Mar 25. The damage at the ship was estimated to be around 50000 Euro, damage to the powerline had yet to be assessed, but was significant. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-3-2012]

 

NBolivian-glagged cargo M/V Eglantine (IMO: 9193202) carrying 23 crew enroute from Rio de Janeiro was hijacked by Somali pirates in Maldivian on Mar 26. The Maldives National Defence Force has dispatched defence vessels to the scene of the hijacking. The attack was the first to happen in Maldivian waters. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-3-2012]

 

833-gt Indonesian-flagged ferry Masagena (IMO: 8815128) carrying 12 crew put out a distress call when the vessel started taking on water on Mar 26. Japan's coastguard has rescued the 10 of the 12 crew members. The remaining two, the captain and engineer, were working with the Coastguard onboard to try to stop the ferry from drifting. The ferry was being taken from Onomichi in Japan's Hiroshima prefecture to be used to carry passengers in Indonesia. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 26-3-2012]

 

A crane aboard the Tomas Dann pulled by an East River tugboat slammed into scaffolding beneath the Brooklyn Bridge on Mar 13. Twenty feet of canvas and sheet metal was damaged. Although there doesn't seem to be any structural damage, the bridge will be carefully inspected. The boat continued to float down the river without stopping. The U.S. Coast Guard is set to interview the boat's captain at Port Newark about the incident. [25-3-12]

 

5,104-teu reefer M/V Buenos Aires Express suffered a fire in the engine room en route from South America to the Caribbean and US Gulf ports. The vessel is reportedly without power and without steering capability and is currently anchored off north east coast of Brazil. The vessel owners have contracted a tug with the intention of towing her to Caucedo, Dominican Republic for repairs. The towage operation is expected to start today. The towing time to Caucedo is expected to be approximately 20 days. We understand from the adjusters that cargo in reefer containers will almost certainly be a total loss due to the vessel being without power. [From our Correspondent Hildegard "Hilde" E. Krause, 25-3-12]

 

A Royal Navy helicopter carrier is heading home from a training operation in Norway after its hull was punctured in a collision with a tug. [From our Correspondent Charles Emberton, 25-3-12]

 

295-gt Dutch-flagged tug Willem Lourens (MMSI-No.: 244690317. CS: PF3128) ran aground on a harbor dam in the East Port of Terneuzen with three barges on Mar 12. Vessel was able to refloat with own power. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

5,505-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Yuan Tong (IMO: 8909599) carrying a crew of 40, among them 20 Chinese, sank bow first off Zhoushan in East-China's Zhejiang Province, after having departed from the Longshan Shipyard for another berth on Mar 13. One man was recovered dead, and seven were still missing. 32 crew members have been rescued. An SAR operation was launched and is continuing. The cause of the sinking was still under investigation. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

2,057-ts German-flagged pushed barge Johanna (EU-No.: 04808050) loaded with 1,600 tons of gravel dredged out of the canal buckled and sank at its berth at the quay of the Main-Donau-Canal in Dietfurt on Mar 12. The barge is to be raised with 4 cranes the forthcoming weekend. The damage was thought to be around 150000 Euro. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

6,409-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Celina (IMO: 9235373) is being salvaged by salvors of Buksér og Berging. They have removed 9 containers with a total weight of 300 tons on Mar 15. The remaining 155 containers will remain on board to keep the vessel steady on the rocks. Efforts are continued to seal the leaks and breaches in the hull and prepare the oil draining of the fuel tanks. Update** No pollution has occurred** [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

366-gt Belgian-flagged beam trawler De Zwerver (IMO-No.: 0100273) broke out in fire at Henrik Baels-Quay in Ostende on Mar 15. The blaze caused severe damage in the region of the wheelhouse, galley, cabins and hold. A worker of Scheepsdiesel Renaud had remarked smoke emerging from the ship which was unmanned at that time. The fire rescue was called and extinguished the fire which may have been caused by a short circuit, with foam. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

500-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Emstide (IMO: 9552068) enroute Istanbul-Abenraa allided with a quay at the communal port Rendsburg in the Kiel Canal on Mar 15. The ship had encountered a failure of the rudder hydraulic and suffered a 20x20-cm-hole in the port side aft. The ship was thus prohibited to proceed until repairs have been carried out. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

N13,005-gt Singapore-flagged tank M/V Trans Catalonia (IMO: 9176694) carrying palm oil and a crew of 20 enroute from Changzhou to Russia was attacked by pirates on Mar 17. Security guards fired on board and chased the attackers. The pirates opened fire first, but the ship's armed guards fired back and scared off the attackers, and thus averted the attack. No one of the crew was hurt. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

45,923-gt tank container M/V Finnstar (IMO:9319442) released hazardous fluids while unloading 25 tons of flammable liquid after she arrived from Helsinki-Vuosaari, at the Skandianvien Quay in Luebeck-Travemuende on Mar 17. Three persons were taken to the University Hospital of Luebeckas as a precaution. The accident was caused by a leaking valve on the bottom of the container. Three dock workers who had been working with the container complained of nausea after having inhaled the gases. The fire department was called and pulled the container into a special containment for dangerous goods where the leakage could be stopped. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

41-gt German-flagged F/V Sigrid - ST 8 (built 1947) went ablaze after an explosion 10 miles west of Sylt off Rantum on Mar 22. The crew of 2 entered a raft after attempts to extinguish the fire failed. They were rescued by the F/V Theodor Storm which was nearby and had seen red flares. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

N4,479-gt Nigerian-flagged tank M/V Pluto (IMO: 8404020) was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea approximately 90 miles south of Lagos, Nigeria on Mar 22. The Pluto was boarded by a brown and white fishing vessel which deployed its fast rescue craft with around ten armed men. The Pluto was looted and bridge communications were destroyed. The pirates headed back to the mother ship while the tanker headed for Lagos for repairs. No injuries or casualties reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

N30,075-gt Liberian-flagged tank M/V Zouzou (IMO: 9412275) whilst enroute from Cotonou to Bonny sent a distress call after being attacked by pirates on Mar 22. A couple of minutes later they called mayday on CH16 VHF and reported that they were under attack by aproximately 12 armed pirates. Attempts to establish connection with the Zouzou had no success. The vessel was not responding. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 25-3-12]

 

28,300-gt Silversea cruiseship Silver Shadow (built 2000) collided with an unidentified container ship off Vietnam in heavy fog on March 21. Vessel damage but no injuries reported. [20-3-12]

 

A pilot was injured when he fell from the 8,530-TEU CSCL container ship Xin Ya Zhou (built 2007) in the River Elbe in Germany on March 18. The man plunged from a gangway while attempting to depart. He had just brought the ship from Hamburg towards Brunsbuttel when he fell four meters on to the deck of his pilot boat. The Chinese cargoship continued on its voyage to Rotterdam. The accident comes a month after a colleague died after having fallen into the Elbe. [20-3-12]

 

5,200-dwt gravel carrier Ocean Glory (built 1982), owned by Syoei Ocean Transport of Taipei, sank shortly after leaving the port of Keelung on March 19. Four bodies have been recovered, two other men remain missing. The vessel was enroute to Hualien. [20-3-12]

 

13,100-dwt Royal Diamond 7 (built 2008) suffered fire at the Pir Pau berth on March 17, only minutes after the ship had discharged 2,000 tonnes of toluene for Aegis Chemicals. It took nearly two hours to control the blaze. The cause is not known. Burn injuries are reported. [20-3-12]

 

3,100-TEU container ship Barli (ex-Emirates Victory, built 2004), grounded two nm off the coast of Fuqing in China on March 15. The vessel is reported to have a severe fracture and is at risk of breaking up. Salvage and pollution response teams deployed. No injuries reported. The vessel is reported to be carrying approximately 1,100 mt of heavy fuel, 120 mt of marine diesel and 1,913 containers. The vessel is owned by Antarctica Shipping of Singapore and technically managed by Klaveness. A casualty team from Norwegian P&I insurer Assuranceforeningen Gard are reported to be actively supporting local authorities. [20-3-12]

 

28,836-dwt M/V Seagate (built 1989) was in collision with reefer M/V Timor Stream in the Carribean Sea, 60 miles northeast of Haiti on March 10. The Seagate was badly damaged and suffered seawater ingress in the area of the engine room. Eight of the 21 crew aboard the ship were transferred to the TIMOR STREAM and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter VENTUROUS was on scene. [From Hildegard "Hilde" E. Krause, 12-3-12]

 

1323-gt Dutch-flagged sand dredger Robbenzand (IMO: 2204895) allided with the Burgervlot Bridge in the morning of Mar 8. The vessel veered off course and ran into the side of the bridge which was open at the time. An investigation of Provinciale Waterstaat showed that a bar of the bridge had snapped due to the impact. The repair of the bridge will take a few months. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-3-12]

 

6441-gt UK-flagged chemical tanker Weserstern (IMO: 9035826), suffered an engine room fire in the new Northern lock enroute Porvoo-Rotterdam on Mar 8. The fire was extinguished, and the ship was moored at the eastern railway pilings in Brunsbuettel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-3-12]

 

11422-gt Italian-flagged tanker Gelso M (IMO: 9367369) carrying 19 crew ran aground in severe weather off Sicily at Pointe Santa Panagia at the coast of Syracusa on Mar 10. Vessel is being evacuated. Seven men were already hoisted with 12 more to follow. The ship started to list after having got stuck on rocks in severe weather. As it was impossible to approach the tanker from sea, two Coastguard helicopters started to evacuate the crew. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-3-12]

 

12,838-gt German-flagged cargo M/V BBC Coral (IMO-No.: 9563720) currently under construction a the Jiangzhou Union Shipbuilding was testing two DMF-heavy good cranes went something went wrong on Feb 28. While they were doing an 800-tons-tandem-test load, the ship started to tilt to starboard, the load fell off its slings and one of the cranes broke off. A sheerleg was called to clear up the mess. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 12-3-12]

 

2,031-gt Belgian-flagged dredger Vlaanderen 1 (IMO: 8215883) collided with 13,058-gt Antigua Barbuda-flagged heavy lift carrier Trina (IMO: 9376505) in the Nauw van Bath on Mar 10. Tugs of Multraship from Terneuzen and the Unie van Redding- en Sleepdienst rushed to the scene to assist. The Trina remained undamaged and proceeded to Anwerp. The Vlaanderen 1 suffered some damage. A small amount of oil leaked out, but could be rescovered by two anti pollution vessels. [12-3-12]

 

5,800-gt Red Sea ferry Amman (built 1995), enroute from Aqaba, Jordan to Egypt with 689 passengers aboard, suffered fire on March 6. No injuries were reported. [8-3-2012]

 

Unidentified tanker vessel (believed either Alpha Ena or Alpha 1) sank off Greece on or abotu March 5. Contact with a submerged object, possibly a wrecked vessel, was reported before the tanker sank. One seafarer -- reportedly the master -- is dead but the remaining ten crew members have been rescued. [8-3-2012]

 

4,500-dwt tanker Volgoneft 215 (built 1970) caught fire at a St. Petersburg shipyard on March 6. Russian media reported it took two hours to extinguish the blaze. The incident happened at the Kanonersky shipyard while the vessel was undergoing repairs to its cargo tanks. A 70-sq-m section of the deck caught fire. No injuries were reported. The vessel is operated by Tilso Trading of the British Virgin Islands. [8-3-2012]

 

39-year-old Russian master of 4,450-dwt German Sky (built 1995) fell overboard in the Strait of Gibraltar, 12.5-nm from Punta Camarinal, on March 6. Spanish authorities rescued the man, who was taken to a hospital in Jerez, Cadiz with hypothermia. [8-3-2012]

 

2,800-gt Philippines ferry Cebu Ferry 1 (built 1989) caught fire off Batangas on March 7. The vessel sent a distress call after leaving the port 100-km south of Manila. All passengers have been accounted for and the blaze was brought under control. [8-3-2012]

 

Norwegian-managed 2,400-dwt cargo ship Union Moon (built 1985) and 21,900-gt ferry Stena Feronia (built 19970) collided in Belfast Lough on March 7. No one was injured but both vessels were substantially damaged. The captain of the cargo vessel was arrested. [From our Correspondent Ashley Black, 8-3-2012]

 

Singapore-flagged bulk carrier M/V Prabhu Daya collided with Singapore-flagged F/V Don-1 off the Kerala Coast in the Arabian Sea on March 1. 5 Fisherman reported dead after the hit and run. [From our Correspondent Amey Kubal, 8-3-2012]

 

4,900-dwt Russia-flagged tanker Volgoneft 215 (IMO: 8934233) caught fire while at the Kanonersky shipyard on the Neva in St. Petersburg on Mar 6. The tanker was undergoing repairs in the cargo and fuel tanks when a worker spilled 150 liters of fuel oil on the deck. A 70 square meter section of the deck caught fire. Firefighters were called to the site and 10 fire brigades, then solved the problem by flooding the dock. No reports of injuries. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-3-2012]

 

1,152-ts Croatia-flagged self propelled barge Aleksandar (EU-No.:02327526) sank on the Danube at its homeport Vukovar on March 6. The ship was down by the bow with the foreship submerged. It was tied up alongside a quay, and attempts to dewater the grain filled cargo hold were underway. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-3-2012]

 

29,874-gt Singapore-flagged car carrier Asian Breeze (IMO: 8202381), allided with the southern middle wall of the New Lock in Brunsbuettel while leaving into the Elbe enroute Paldiski-Cuxhavenon on Mar 1. The wall was crushed on a length of three metres. After investigations the Asian Breeze was allowed to proceed and berthed at the Europa Quay in Cuxhaven. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-3-2012]

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR FEBRUARY 2012


 

NSingapore-registered tug Crest Gold 1, towing barge Crest 282, was attacked by armed attackers at position 1° 16.01'N, 104° 17.6'E about 5.34nm north of Tanjung Tondang, Pulau Bintan, Indonesia, in the early hours of Feb. 26. The robbers stole a computer laptop and some valuables from the crew before escaping. There were no reports of any injuries to the tug’s crew. [28-2-2012]

 

N397-lane-meter Leila (built 1973) was taken by pirates late last week and there is some suggestion it is already being exploited for mothership operations. The vessel is under the control of pirates off the Yemeni coast. [28-2-2012]

 

4,700-dwt Russian products tanker Inzhener Nazarov (built 1968) erupted in flames in the Caspain Sea on Feb. 22. One fatality and several injuries reported. Nine rescue vessels are working with the uninjured survivors of the 14-man crew to extinguish the blaze. The vessel is currently located off the port of Makhachkala, some 1,000-km south of Moscow. [28-2-2012]

 

Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Allegra carrying 636 passengers and 413 crew has caught fire and went adrift more than 200 miles southwest of the Seychelles near Alphonse Island enroute from Madagascar on Feb 27. The fire broke out in a room housing electric generators. It did not spread and there were no injuries or casualties. The cruise operator has stressed that the ship is steady and conditions are safe. [27-2-12]

 

6,724-TEU MOL containership Maneuver collided with COSCO Container Lines vessel Zhen He southeast of Hong Kong enroute from Singapore to Yantian on Feb 22. None of the crew were injured and no oil leak has been observed. Investigation of the accident is underway. [27-2-2012]

 

1,550-ts Hungarian-flagged pusher barge Baross (EU-No.: 8657002) ran onto the wreck of the 500-tons-barge SL Meister 32 on the Danube at river on Feb 24. The SL Meister sank near Wildungsmauer in the Bruck District nine months ago during dreding works in the fairway. Salvage attempts had failed since. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-2-2012]

 

1,885-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Duplus (EU-No.: 02323437) carrying a dutch crew of 4 allided with the Kruispoort Bridge in Brugge on Feb 25. The wheelhouse was crushed in the incident, but none of the crew were hurt. The captain said that the bridge started to come down when he had passed it halfway. He stopped the engines and fled onto the foreship with his crew. The cause of the incident is still unclear, but it may have been caused by human error. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 27-2-2012]

 

9,981-gt German-flagged container M/V Bianca Rambow (IMO: 9297591) suffered a serious explosion in the port of Hamina on Feb 15. The blast occurred in the engine room of the vessel. There were no injuries, as the engine room was unmanned at that time. The ship is disabled and now waiting for a tow to a shipyard for repairs, as the machinery can not be repaired in Hamina. Accident Investigation Board investigators are expected on scene on Feb 18. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

1,028-gt French-flagged luxury yacht My Yogi (IMO: 9544621) sank off the coast of Skyros in the Aegean Sea on Feb 17. The superyacht, which has only been up for charter since the summer of 2011, was reportedly in the area for minor warranty work on its way from Istanbul to Cannes when it suffered a mechanical failure, began to list to starboard and eventually capsized and sank. The Hellenic Coast Guard was on scene with a Super Puma helicopter and was able to get everyone off safely. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

668-gt French-flagged cargo M/V Combattant (IMO: 9028342) carrying 1000 tons cargo sank on the Rhône near the lock of Beaucaire enroute from Le Havre on Feb 13. The ship allided with a piling. Only the wheelhouse remained above water. No spill reported, traffic was not affected. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

450-gt Iranian-flagged tug Fadak 150 (IMO: 7420340) caught fire in the Persian Gulf enroute Dubai-Bandar Abbas on Feb 19. The crew of nine was saved by a small boat carrying a film team which was about to take underwater pictures in the area. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

23-m Dutch-flagged harbour tug Shipdock III (ENI-No.: 2007921) which sank in the port of Haukes the recent week, was raised on Feb 21 by two mobile cranes. The ship was probably breached by ice. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

18-ts Dutch-flagged tug Commando (EU-No.: 2004988) capsized and sank on the Ijssel off Krimpen while assisting the M/V Elevation on Feb 22. The crew of two was saved by the second assistance tug, the Gepke. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

1,825-gt German-flagged trawler Gerda Maria (IMO: 8716928) was raided and escorted to Tromsø by the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Nordkapp on Feb 14. The ship was suspected of illegal fishing and underreporting of catches of haddock, in the fisheries protection zone around Svalbard. The ship's owner was fined with two million crowns and the master, a Lithuanian citizen, had to pay a fine of 30,000 crowns. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

3,978-gt Gibraltar-flagged cargo M/V Lettland (IMO: 9237022) collided with the 907-gt Estonian-flagged icebreaker EVA 316 (IMO:7917977) during an icebreaking operation in the Gulf of Riga enroute Pärnu-Iggesund on Feb 21. The collision caused minor damage to both ships. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

N59,177-gt Singapore-flagged tank M/V North Sea (IMO: 9384564) was attacked by a pirate skiff with small arms on Feb 22. A private security team repelled the attack. As the pirates tried to flee a German-flagged sea king helicopter fired warning shots with a heavy machine guns. Naval protection forces arrested the eight men and secured evidence. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-02-12]

 

190-gt German-flagged tug Bugsier 14 (IMO:8007200) was in collision with a 65-m-barge pushed by the German 16-m-tug Schubexpress 10 (EU-No.: 05602700) which was sailing downstream on the Elbe on Feb15. The tug suffered damage at the stern. Investigations were launched against the master of the Bugsier 14. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-02-12]

 

1,400-ts German-flagged self propelled tank barge Christina (EU-Nr.: 02329496) sufferred an explosion at the jetty of the Kuwait Petroleum Europort in Rotterdam on Feb 14. The tank no. 1 of the ship which was loaded with benzol, was severely damaged as well as the deck house on the foreship. The following fire remained confined to the front tank and was extinguished. The crew - the master, the owner, his wife and two children were unharmed and taken off the vessel. No spill reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-02-12]

 

40,170-gt Malta-flagged bulk carrier Milagro (IMO: 9465708) enroute from Fang Cheng Gang, allided with the grain loader 3 at the Guruaja Grain Terminal in Santos, Brazil on Feb 14. The freighter suffered damage to its port side bridge and lower deck. The grain loader 4 was totally destroyed and toppled into the water. Grain loader Nr. 3 was also slightly damaged. No reports of injuries. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-02-12]

 

NCargo M/V attacked by pirates 110 nautical miles from the coast of Lagos, Nigeria on Feb 13. Most of those onboard the unidentified cargo ship fled into a secured room as a gunfight raged, while those on the bridge remained at their posts. The captain and chief engineer died of their wounds as the pirates sprayed the ship with gunfire. [2-14-12]

 

3,989-ts Swiss-flagged self propelled barge Nancy (EU-No.: 07001915) was in a bow-to-bow collision with a container barge on the Rhine at river-km 857 on Feb 13. The container barge was running river downstream in dense fog with a visibilty below 200 metres, whereas the Nancy was bound from the Netherlands to Emmerich. The bows of both ships were significantly damaged above the water line. Two crew members were slightly hurt as they fell onto the deck due to the impact. Both ships entered the port of Emmerich with own power. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-14-12]

 

16-m Dutch-flagged tug En Avant (EU-No.: 3050595) sank on the Bijlandsch Canal in Millingen on Feb 14. No one was aboard at the time of the sinking. Rijkswaterstaat laid out oil booms as a precaution. Attempts of the water police to keep the vessel afloat had failed before. The tug submerged to the upper deck. The ship was berthed at a floating pier of the Gebroeders Janssen Sleepdiensten. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-14-12]

 

Cruise ship Regent's Seven Seas Voyager enroute from Sydney to auckland was caught in a Tasman Low off the Southeast end of the South Island of NZ on Jan 31. Reports claim she was hit by 10 - 11 metre waves and storm force winds that broke glass and balcony dividers and some deck furniture broke their lashings breaking electrical fittings which caused a fire that was put out. No casualties reported. [From Gervase, 13-02-12]

 

1,599-gt Netherlands Antilles-flagged cargo M/V Fri Moon (IMO: 9234410) has leaked about 0,5 tons of diesel fuel after it ran into a pier at Lierstranda on Feb 9. The ship suffered a hole in the hull when it crashed into a pier. The surrounding ice made it difficult for the fire department to soak up the diesel, but it managed to stop the leak quickly. The cause of the allision was currently unknown. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

637-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Marinus H (EU-No.: 03230172) with homeport Delfzijl caught fire in the evening of Feb 9 at a shipyard in Haren/Ems. The ship had been under repair when a worker remakred smoke emerging from the engine room at 9.45 p.m. The fire rescue from Haren was soon on scene and extinguished the fire with foam. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

2,409-gt Dutch-flagged cargo M/V Carolina (IMO: 9382748) was in collision with the 9,981-gt German-flagged cargo M/V Finnlandia (IMO: 9315032) in the Great Southern Lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbuettelon Feb 11. Both ships suffered slight damage, no injuries, no spill reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

17,488-gt German-flagged container M/V Heinrich Ehler (IMO: 9372200) enroute Helsinki-Rotterdam allided with the middle wall of the Great Northern Lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbuettel on Feb 13. The wall was damaged, the ship suffered scratches. No injuries, no spill reported. The ship was allowed to continue its voyage after investigatrions of the police Brunsbuettel. The allision was caused by a technical malfunction of the bow thruster causing the stern to scrape the side wall when leaving the lock westbound. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

186-metre 26,000 ton cargo M/V Dry Beam carrying 23 Filipino crew is moored at Ogden Point in Victoria, its massive vertical support beams bent like matchsticks and its load of logs shoved askew by a rogue wave on the North Pacific on Feb 8. The vessel was en route to Japan from Longview, Washington, when it ran into trouble, lost some logs and issued a mayday call Thursday night about 480 kilometres off northern Vancouver Island. A rogue wave had pummelled the ship's left, or port, side and caused many of the raw logs on the deck to shift toward the starboard side. No injuries or casualties reported. [From Barry Campbell, 13-02-12]

 

1,500-dwt Romanian-flagged hopper dredger Midia-24 (IMO: 8830138, built 1976) carrying 5 crew and trasporting sand-gravel mix for the Olympic Games grounded on coastline near Pitsunda, Black Sea after dragging anchor in rough water on Feb 6. All crew is safe. Vessel has a hole in the hull and water ingress in the cargo hold. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

58-m German-flagged ferry Rönnebeck (MMSI-no: 211553920) got stuck on the ramp at Motzen on Feb 7. Ice flows had surrounded the ship during the night so that it was unable to sail in the morning. Ferry Juliusplate was called for assistance, but when it was on scene the water had fallen too much to dislodge the Rönnebeck. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 13-02-12]

 

632-gt tank M/V Ruth (IMO: 8909965) ran aground off Mero enroute from St. Johns to Roseau on Feb 3. The Coastguard was on scene assessing the situation. It was not known whether oil is being spilt into the sea. The ship was unloaded, when it got stuck underneath the cliffs, and water was being pumped over the side after the accident. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-2-12]

 

1843-gt Gibraltar-flagged cargo M/V Vestvind (IMO: 8209743) ran aground in the western part of the Limfjord ar the Saelhundeholmlob while enroute from Antwerp to Skive on Feb 5. The ship sailed too far to the side of the fairway. A tug was called to pull the vessel off with the flood. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-2-12]

 

Norwegian-flagged lifeboat Ragni Berg (MMSI-No.:257797500) after a failed theft attempt, crashed onto the rocks of Askøy on Feb 4. The rescue boat had disappeared from the Skjøndals Slip & Mekanisk Verksted at Damsgård in Bergen, where it was getting overhauled. Thieves destroyed the boat's interior while trying to start the engine to flee. After the boat was moored, divers found out that the propeller was damaged and the hull dented, so the ship will have to be drydocked for repairs. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-2-12]

 

278-gt Norwegian-flagged F/V Willassen (IMO: 7604386) reported a fire in its engine room due to a burning turbo on Feb 6. Lifeboat Erik Bye came to assist. The fire was extinguished immediately, but the main engine could not be started again. The thrusters were intact so they managed to keep the ship from running aground until the Erik Bye had taken it in tow.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 6-2-12]

 

Passenger M/V Rabaul Queen carrying 350 people sunk approximately nine nautical miles off Finschhafen, while on a voyage from Kimbe to Lae, PNG on Feb 2. 246 people reported rescued, four bodies recovered, 100 are presumed to be dead. [5-2-12] Click here for further coverage.

 

5,089-teu Germany container vessel Maersk Dellys (built 2006) suffered fuel spill during a bunkering operation at the Garden City Terminal in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 31. The US Coast Guard reported contractor Moran Environmental Services was called in to deploy several thousand feet of boom. [5-2-12]

 

10-m-fishing vessel Algwastre sank off the coast of Port-en-Bessin enroute from Caen on Jan 31. The Regional Operational Centre for Surveillance and Rescue (CROSS) of Jobourg has deployed two helicopters, three boats and several fishing vessels to the area of the sinking. A boat of the SNSM found the second. Both were taken to Port-en-Bessin where they were pronounced dead. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-2-12]

 

939-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Reinod 15 (EU-No.: 2311711) carrying cargo waste from Van Gansewinkel Shipping struck pedestrian ferry Keereweer Vliet in Rijswijk on Jan 31. Two of the four passengers were thrown into the water in the collision. Both masters of the ships involved were drug tested by the police with negative results. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-2-12]

 

2026-ts Hungarian-flagged self propelled barge Ulm (ENI-No.: 04002620) carrying 1511 tons of coal ran aground on the Danube on Feb 1. The river was closed for traffic. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-2-12]

 

532-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Henmar (EU-No.: 3320237) partially sank on the Schie at Delft and caused a spill of gas oil on Feb 2. The ship probably allided with a submerged obstruction causing the foreship to submerge. The master awoke when his ship started to list. When the fire rescue and police arrived, the foreship had sunk. As soon as divers have patched the leak, the wreck was to be raised. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-2-12

 

VESSEL LOSS & NEWS DISPATCHES FOR JANUARY 2012


 

14,141-gt Russian-flagged cargo M/V Kapitan Chukhchin (IMO:8131922) carrying 20 crew went adrift south of Ambarli in the Marmara Sea coming from Klaipeda on Jan 28. The Vessel Traffic Service Center Istanbul sent the Kurtarma 5 to recover the ship which was towed to Istanbul. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-1-2012]

 

3,971-gt Danish-flagged catamaran ferry Mie Mols (IMO-No.: 9113006) allided with the ramp at the ferry terminal in Ebeltoft on Jan 28. The ramp was twisted around by the allision. No injuries or casualties reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-1-2012]

 

813-ts Czechian-flagged self propelled barge Andromeda (ENI-No.: 09551068) allided with the Flugelweg Bridge on the Elbe in Dresden immediately after having departed from the Albert Port on Jan 28. The ship got stuck on the foundation of a piling. The bridge did not suffer significant damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-1-2012]

 

17,040-gt Liberian-flagged cargo M/V Laura 1 (IMO: 9123960) loaded with clay sufferred two casualties in port Antwerp in the Amerika Dock on Jan 28. Two workers were lifting a bulldozer into a cargo hold when it crashed down, hitting the two and causing fatal injuries. Emergency services were on site, but the workers had to be pronounced dead. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 30-1-2012]

 

Indonesian ferry Adika Nusantara, bound for Lembar with 202 people on board, developed a list off Bali on Jan. 25. All aboard were successfully evacuated. Carda Damanik, of state-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia, said the swell caused the ship's load, which included eight fully loaded trucks and dozens of cars, to shift toward one side. Three ships were sent to rescue the passenver and crew. The evacuation took place 11 hours after the initial incident.

 

4,000-dwt Delta Mariner (built 2000), transporting rocket booster components from a Boeing plant in Decatur, Alabama to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, allided with the Eggner Ferry Bridge on the Tennessee River on Jan. 26. The allision knocked out two spans of the structure, which was built in the 1930s and handles approximately 2,800 vehicles per day. The vessel, operated by Foss Maritime, appears to be seaworthy, though its bow was covered in mangled pieces of steel and cement. U.S. salvage specialist T&T Bisso was called in to survey the operator's only ro-ro vessel. [29-1-2012] Click here for futher coverage.

 

93,659-dwt containership M/V Cosco Yokohama (built 2004) lost 29 containers overboard in the Gulf of Alaska enroute from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on Jan 22. More containers were damaged but remained onboard. [From our Correspondent Hildegard E. Krause, 29-1-2012]

 

1,261-ts German-flagged self propelled barge Pontes (EU-No.: 2314047) allided with the upper gate of the lock Eckersmühlen on the Main-Danube-Canal on Jan 23. The 40-ton-gate was severely damaged and ship traffic had to be interrupted until the gate had to be exchanged by a spare gate. The ship was allowed to proceed to Regensburg after surveys. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 29-1-2012]

 

16,803-gt Cyprus-flagged container M/V Fesco Vladimir (IMO: 9354533) enroute from Antwerp collided with 4,450-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged container M/V Pioneer Bay (IMO: 9164550) enroute from Hamburg at the Storm Quay in Bremerhaven on Jan 25. At the time of the accident there was a strong outgoing tide. Both ships were damaged. The Pioneer Bay suffered a breach above the water line. No pollution reported. Both ships were ordered to stay in port for the length of surveys. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 29-1-2012]

 

62,681-dwt containership M/V Hanjin Osaka (built 2011) sufferred an engine breakdown in the North Pacific enroute from Ningbo to Savannah on Jan 8. Earlier this week she was attended by the Tug KAIKO and shoreside engineers who are currently surveying her engines. Salvage and a general average declaration are expected. [From our Correspondent Hilde Krause; 24-1-2012]

 

21,856-gt British-flagged ferry Stena Feronia (IMO: 9136022) was arrested by the Swedish Trasportation Board in Karlskrona due to a number of security flaws on Jan 24. Some 20 defiencies were detected during an inspection, including the absence of handrails, emergency exits and lighting. The deficiencies were deemed so serious that the Transport Authority stopped the ferry from leaving to Gdynia. The shortcomings are now being addressed. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-1-2012]

 

Salvors removed four dangerous goods containers from the bow of the M/V Rena on Jan 23. The containers held empty tanks which formerly held hydrogen peroxide and still had residual amounts of the chemical inside. This removal means there are no dangerous goods containers left on the deck of the vessel. There are still dangerous goods containers in the holds of the wreck. A total of 117 tonnes of liquid waste has been processed and taken away for disposal by an environmental company. A break-down in figures shows that waste processed to date includes about 177 tonnes from Waihi Beach and 77 tonnes from Matakana Island. Braemar has processed 120 containers. At least four fridges have washed up on shore – one on Slipper Island, one on Matakana and two on the East Cape. Small amounts of debris – including the fridge – have been found as far north as Slipper Island. A number of one-tonne bags have been delivered to Motiti Island for ongoing debris collection. Around 40 oil spill responders were working on clean-up operations at the Mount, on Matakana, Rabbit and Leisure islands and at Kauri Point. A shoreline clean-up assessment team was working north of Kauri Point. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-1-2012]

 

38623-dwt Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Aristeas P (IMO: 8315918, built 1985) carrying wheat ran aground due to water level fall in Parana River off Rosario Port Argentina on Jan 17. Some 20 vessels can’t leave the port, suspending shipments of wheat and corn. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-1-2012]

 

45-mt off-shore supplier Hatem II and M/V Lady Moon sank in UAE off Sharjah in a storm which battered Northern Emitrates waters on Jan 21 & 22. Three barges were beached after breaking the tow lines, one with sand and two with rocks. The tug Fadak 200 was also beached, Indian crew of 4 safe. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 24-1-2012]

 

1,943-ts German-flagged tank barge Frankenland (EU-No.: 04500950) allided with the Auheimer Bridge on the Main on Jan 22. The tank vessel has considerable damaged. Train traffic on the bridge was stopped for two hours during surveys, but it seemed to have withstood the impact. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-2012]

 

2,103-ts German-flagged tank barge Jessica (EU-No.: 7001569) lost 1 ton of diesel through a damaged vent on Jan 22. The fire brigades and shipping authorities of Essen, Bottrop and Oberhausen were alerted after a spill of 15 kilometres length was found on the Rhine-Herne-Canal. Helicopters found the vessel was causing the spill and the ship was stopped at the Lirich lock. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-2012]

 

An unidentified boat carrying 22 people sank off the Iranian coast near the port of Bandar Abbas on Jan 21. So far only seven people have been rescued. The boat was travelling from the Island of Hormuz to Bandar Abbas. Rescue efforts are continuing. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-2012]

 

12,286-gt Philippine-flagged cargo M/V Aztec Maiden (IMO:8408753) carrying 21 crew ran aground off the Dutch coast 200 metres from the beach of Wijk an Zee enroute from Amsterdam on Jan 20. Vessel is at risk of leaking fuel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen and our Correspondent Martijn Lohmeijer, 23-1-12]

 

1,741-gt Canadian-flagged ferry Lomer Gouin (IMO: 7109221) carrying 60 passengers nad 25 cars got stuck in the ice on Jan 19. The CCGS icebreaker Des Groseilliers proceeded to assist, and after about 2,5 hours the ferry was finally able to dock in Québec City. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-12]

 

549-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Louisa (IMO: 06503245) collided with a container barge on the Albert Canal near Stokrooie and sufferred a hold of 4 square meters in the starboard bow on Jan 19. The ships entangled in each other and drifted towards Viversel. The wife of the captain suffered a shock and was treated in hospital. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-12]

 

1,603-ts cargo M/V Emelie D (IMO: 02314870) carrying empty containers was leaking diesel fuel through a breach in the aft starboard tank enroute from Bremerhaven on Jan 20. By pumping the remaining oil into another tank the spill was stopped. The fire rescue patched the leak from outside. It was estimated that a rather small amount of diesl was lost and most of it vaporized. After the leak was patched, the ship was allowed to proceed to Nienburg. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-12]

 

1,095-gt St. Vincent-Grenadines-flagged cargo M/V Globia (IMO: 7823334) allided with the Guldborgsund Bridge while being inward bound from Aarhus to Nykøbing on Jan 19. There was no major damage to the ship or bridge. The ship was detained in Nykøbing by the Danish authorities after the accident was reported.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 23-1-12]

 

2,375-gt Antigua Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V RMS Buchholz (IMO: 9148154) is banned from sailing and moored at the railway pilings in the inner port of Brunsbüttel since Jan 13. The police found the ship overloaded by 40 tons asphalt granulate when it came from Eemshaven. As there is only little ballast water on board and the ship had to bunker 30 tons fuel in Brunsbüttel, 40 tons of the cargo will have to be unloaded before the ship may sail on to Latvia. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

NGerman-flagged frigate Lübeck tried to stop a pirate mother ship in the Horn of Africa by a shot to the bow on Jan 17. The frigate received an emergency call of the 21,402-gt Dutch-flagged fall pipe vessel Flintstone (IMO: 9528433) as two skiffs attempted to attack the ship. A private security team was able to repel the attack. The pirates returned to the mother ship and tried to escape. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

276-gt Danish-flagged dredger Helle Saj (IMO: 8874407) is lying off Thorsminde after it collided with the dredger Tonne in dense fog on Nov 21. The vessel is situated so close to the harbor and navigation channel that it cannot be removed by explosives. The wreck is hampering vessel traffic to and from Thorsminde and it has already sunk deep into the sand. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

22,184-gt Marshall Islands-flagged tank M/V Sloman Themis (IMO: 9306677) was in collision with 42,225-gt Marshall Islands-flagged tank mM/V Althiri (IMO: 9457763) at Hoek van Holland anchorage on Jan 17. The bow was damaged, and the anchor chain broke. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

2,499-ts Dutch-flagged inland tank M/V Palandiel (EU-No.: 02335508) was in collision with 3,214-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Eleonora (EU-No.: 02328937) on Jan 18. The ship hit head-on in dense fog at Wiesbaden-Biebrich. Both ships were unloaded and moored at the Rhine shore in Biebrich with significant bow damage. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

213-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Froyaferja (IMO: 7529938) propeller was fouled by a rope on Jan 17. The drifting ship was taken in tow, and divers were sent down to clear the propeller.[ From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

397-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Maan Dolphin (IMO: 8603963) allided with the ferry pier on Hufthamar on Jan 18. The bow of the ferry suffered significant damage due to the impact. The ship had to be removed soon to make way for the ferry that came from Krokeide. The boat was taken out of traffic. No passengers were injured. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

21,856-gt Lithuanian-flagged ferry Liverpool Seaways (IMO: 9136034) operating the Karlshamn-Klaipeda service was found to have such serious deficiencies that inspectors of Transport Agency stopped the ship from leaving the dock´in Karlshamn on Jan 18. Among the defiencies were blocked emergency exists, open fire doors and too short ladders for lifeboats. In total 25 defiencies were found, some of which were quite serious. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

1,170-ts German-flagged self propelled barge Karin (EU-No.: 04700110) carrying 1000 tons of steel ran aground on the Main near the Wertheim freeway bridge enroute from Hungaria to Aschaffenburg on Jan 19. The vessel drifted perpendicular to the river. Bow and stern got stuck, thus blocking the river. Another ship was called in order to refloat the casualty. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 19-1-12]

 

114,147-grt cruise ship Costa Concordia (built 2006), with approximately 4,200 passengers and crew, ran aground and subsequently rolled onto its side off the Italian island of Giglio on Jan. 13. 16 people confirmed killed and an estimated 16 others are not accounted for. The vessel was sailing on a cruise across the Mediterranean Sea, starting from Civitavecchia with scheduled calls to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari and Palermo. At 2030GMT, 2.5 hrs after leaving the port of Civitavecchia (near Rome), the vessel hit a rock as it sailed past the island of Giglio. As the vessel took on water, Capt Francesco Schettino attempted to turn the vessel towards the island. The vessel began listing severely to starboard. At 2110GMT, the abandon ship signal was given. There had not yet been an emergency drill. Some of the passengers and crew were forced to swim for land as the angle of the ship made boarding life boats impossible. Capt. Schettino said the rocks were not marked on maps and were not detected by navigation systems. The ship's owners, Costa Cruises, said the Capt. had made an "unapproved, unauthorised" deviation in course, sailing too close to the island in order to show the ship to locals. Automatic tracking systems show the route of the Costa Concordia until it ran aground. The ship made the same journey through the strait on 6 January this year, but sailed much further from the island, according to positioning information provided by Lloyd's List. Investigators have located the "black box" system similar to those used by aircraft, that record voices on the bridge, as well as radar position and other data, which they hope will explain how the incident happened. The Capt. is accused of, among other things, abandoning his ship prior to full evacuation. He and the first officer, Ciro Ambrosio, are being detained and are anticipated to be charged. In a profit warning on Jan. 16, Carnival -- parent company of Costa Cruises -- predicted the casualty will leave it between $85m and $95m short in the 2012 fiscal year. The Standard Club is the claims lead with the risk shared with Steamship Mutual on a quota share basis. The vessel's cover has a deductible of approximately $30m and the company has third party personal injury insurance with a $10m deductible. Loss of use is covered by the company itself. Several firms have been commissioned to assess salvage. [16/17/23/24-1-2012] Click here for futher coverage.

 

6,536-dwt Korean small product tanker Doola No 3 exploded in waters 6-km northwest of Jawol Island, off Incheon, on Jan. 15. The vessel had been on its way back to the port of Daesan after unloading a cargo of gasoline at Incheon. 11 crew are missing and feared dead. [16-1-2012]

 

8,000-dwt cargo vessel Fas Provence (built 1986) sank 81-miles south of Delimara, Malta, during a towing operation on Jan. 13. The vessel was not carrying cargo and was being towed by two tugs at the time of the sinking. [16-1-2012]

 

4,100-dwt Edirne (built 1980) sank 5-km from the port of Durres, Albania, on Jan. 15. The vessel had taken on fuel there. One body was found. Two others, including the captain, are missing. 12 men were rescued. [16-1-2012]

 

48,000-dwt Greek bulker New Glory (built 2011) and 6,600-gt Spanish ferry Milenium Dos (built 2003) collided off Morocco, five miles north of the Spanish North Africa enclave of Ceuta, on Jan. 13. The ferry was carrying 184 passengers, 18 crew and 43 vehicles. One crewman was airlifted to a hospital. [16-1-2012]

 

1,121-gt Dutch-flagged ferry Monnik (IMO:8408961), carrying 60 passengers on board, ran aground between Lauwersoog and Schiermonnikoog off the Dutch coast on Jan 12. Around 7 p.m. the ship refloated. The grounding was thought to have been caused by the stormy winds. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

47,667-gt Panama-flagged container M/V MSC Tia (IMO: 8212635) sufferred engine shut down from faulty low temperature coolers on Jan 12. Several attemps were made to fix the problems but failed to comply with pilots and coast guard requirements. The vessel managed to reach Quebec with her own power. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

23-meter Belgian-flagged pusher tug Elma (EU-Nr.: 6504214) was raised at berth 330 in the port of Antwerp, where the ship had sunk in a severe storm on Jan 12. The vessel had been pushed against the quay by flood waves and foundered on a water depth of 7 metres. The wreck was raised by Benelux Diving Corporation Antwerpen, which also had recovered 6,5 tons of bunker fuel in advance. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

5,659-gt Antigua Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Vivara (IMO: 9203708) sufferred a collapse of the turbocharger and therefore an engine breakdown enroute from Cueta to Piombino on Jan 13. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

7,271-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Harmony SW (IMO: 9369162) had suffered an engine failure due to a total loss of pressurized air and is still moored at Hotenau Anchorage off the Kiel Canal on Jan 13. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

1,832-ts Dutch-flagged self propelled barge Denera (EU-No.: 02326975) propeller's was fouled by an obstruction when entering the southern lock in Kostheim on the Main river in Gustavsburg on Jan 10. The stern was pushed to starbaord and the bow allided with the left lock gate. The gate and the wooden fender of the ship suffered damage due to the impact. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

19,819-gt Liberian-flagged cargo M/V Port Said (IMO: 9082362) suffered fire at the Scheldepoort Yard in Ritthem on Jan 10. The fire rescue was on scene with three engines. The fire was under control at 4 p.m. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

1,917-gt Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Elise (IMO: 9454462) was in collision with a Swedish registered yacht on the Ems on Jan 10. Vessel had departed from Delfzijl at 5 p.m. and was bound for Porsgrunn. The mast of the yacht broke due to the impact. According to investigations of the police, the collision was caused by human failure. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

1,547-gt Gibraltar-flagged cargo M/V Anke Angela (IMO: 8417546) carrying 6 crew ran aground in the Kalmar Strait, between Öland and the Swedish mainland on Jan 11. The Swedish Coastguard suspected that the two senior officers onboard the ship were drunk at the time of the accident and they have been taken ashore for drug testing by the Kalmar police. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 16-1-2012]

 

13,671-gt Italian-flagged tank M/V Dattilo M (IMO: 9333474) became disabled in bad weather near the island of Kythnos on Jan 7. Vessel has been taken in tow by the tug Aegeon Pelagos to Pireaus Roads. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-1-2012]

 

430-ts Dutch-flagged inland tanker Spido II (IMO: 02307298) sufferred engine failure and had to anchor on Jan 8. Due to the pressure of the Maas current the anchor could not be lifted again, and the ship was stuck. Divers cut off the anchor and two other ships then towed the casualty to a nearby pier. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-1-2012]

 

92,627-grt Panama-flagged cruise Liner MSC Poesia (IMO: 9387073, built 2008) carrying passengers and crew of 987 ran aground on at Port Lucaya near Freeport, Bahamas on Jan 7. Four tugs were sent to the cruise liner, but with high tide, the vessel refloated and resumed voyage. No damages reported. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-1-2012]

 

Ferry Dumai Express 5 ran into high waves enroute from Tanjung Balai Karimun to Batam on Jan 7. Passengers panicked and put on life vests as water began flooding the deck. Port authorities instructed the vessel to return to port and canceled any further trips until weather improved. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 9-1-2012]

 

1,543-gt Malta-flagged tank M/V Atagun (IMO: 9469209) encountered more problems as she had to be anchored in the middle of the Caland Canal as "dead ship", off the quay of the EECV (Europoort) on Jan 7. Two tugs connected to the tanker, but it took a while before the ship could be towed away because it experienced difficulties in raising the anchor. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

7,713-gt Cyprus-flagged container M/V Hanse Spirit (IMO: 9302255) sufferred engine trouble in gale force winds enroute from Szczezcin to Northsea on Jan 5. The vesselwas towed back to Cuxhaven where it moored at the Steubenhoeft. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

Russia-flagged refrigerator vessel Irina drifted away from Kunashir Island into the Pacific Ocean due to a strong storm on Jan 6. All 19 crew members have been evacuated. Several attempts to take unmanned vessel on tow by salvage tug Suvorovets failed due to stormy weather. Now salvage tugs Atlas and Suvorovets are chasing Irina in stormy Pacific. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

27,781-dwt Antigua-flagged bulk carrier Federal Miamichi (IMO: 9315549, built 2005) carrying 22900 tons of Urea, 750 tons of fuel and 20 tons of diessel issued a distress signal enroute from St. Petersburg to Paranagua On Jan 5. Due to the total damage of the propulsion system of the cargo ship it was impossible to carry out repairs. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

4,183-gt Portuguese-flagged cargo M/V Emsbroker (IMO: 9247132) became disabled after it had suffered engine failure in bad weather in the North Sea on Jan 5. The vessel’s crew discovered a problem with its fuel line and requested assistance. The tug Pegasus (IMO: 9433743), departed from Rotterdam and proceeded to the scene in order to take the vessel under tow. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

1,393-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Rauma (IMO: 8704054) once more suffered technical problems and had to be taken out of its ferry service Halsa - Kanestraum on Jan 6. The ferry had problems with a thruster when it moved away from the quay. Experts were en route to check the problem. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 8-1-2012]

 

186-ft research vessel Kilo Moana started sinking 60 miles north of Turtle Bay, Oahu on Jan 6. 40 people aboard had to be rescued by Coast Guard. Rescue swimmer boarded the vessel with three pumps which appeared to be keeping up with the 400 gallons of water that the crew had reported taking on per minute. The Coast Guard cutter AHI and a rescue boat from the Coast Guard station Kauai also were responding. [6-1-2012]

 

56,000-dwt Bulk carrier Vinalines Queen (built 2005) went missing Christmas Day. The vessel was on a voyage from Morowali in Indonesia to Ningde in China was northeast of Luzon in the Philippines when contact was lost. A survivor -- Dau Ngoc Hung (31) -- was rescued after five days adrift at sea but it is unclear if there may be other survivors among the 23 man crew. The seafarer confirms the vessel sank off the Philippines after developing a list. He was picked up by the 206,000-dwt Mitsui controlled London Courage (built 2007), and told rescuers that life rafts had been lowered on the starboard side of the Vinalines Queen but the vessel had sank quickly. The rescue came after an air search and rescue operation was suspended with only an oil slick found near the last reported position of the Vinalines Queen. Before losing contact the vessel developed an 18 degree list suggesting there had been a cargo shift consistent with the liquefaction that nickel ore is prone to if the moisture content is above safe limits. The protection and indemnity clubs have been warning shipowners of the dangers of nickel ore liquefaction since the 45,000-dwt Jian Fu Star (built 1981), the 56,000-dwt Nasco Diamond (built 2009) and the 50,000-dwt Hong Wei (built 2001) sank during the carriage of nickel ore from Indonesia to China with the loss of forty four lives. [2-1-2012]

 

75,678-dwt Bermudan-flagged tanker Genmar Companion (IMO 9255933), Rotterdam to New York with 54,304t of vacuum gas oil, suffered crack on its upper deck on or about Dec. 16. The vessel sheltered off the Copeland Islands at the entrance to Belfast Lough. The crack did not appear to extend to any of the oil cargo holding structures but, as a precautionary measure, the master chose to seek both shelter and advice before continuing passage. The ship was inspected on 18 December by the owners, a representative of ABS and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). After that inspection it was decided that, as a precautionary measure, the cargo should be removed and the ship repaired. The tanker commissioned to remove the cargo is the BW Seine (IMO 9342217). Belfast Harbour cannot hold such a large vessel and its cargo will be transferred by specialist company Fendercare Marine. The transfer of the oil was to have started on 31 December, but was delayed. All 23 crew members are reported to be in good health and have remained on board. [From our Correspondent Andrew Dickson, 2-1-2012]

 

18,200-ton Russia-flagged submarine Jekaterinburg caught fire when wooden scaffolding caught fire during welding repairs at the Roslyakovo dock on Dec 29. Despite attempts from helicopters and firemen to bring the blaze under control, it was decided to submerge the sub to put out the fire. All nuclear weapons were removed before the submersion. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

2,031-ts Germn-flagged inland tank M/V Anton (EU-No.: 04804460) collided with the Botlek Bridge in Rotterdam on Dec 29. The wheelhouse was completely destroyed, the master slightly hurt. After the tanker drifted towards the shore, the Port Authority and police were able to hold the bow there until two tugs were able to pull the casualty to the Merwe Port in Rotterdam for surveys. The damage at the bridge was not yet assessed, car traffic not affected. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

861-gt German-flagged cargo M/V Hein (IMO: 6702284) ran into the embankment of the Kiel Canal enroute Brake-Falkenberg on Dec 29. After the ship was refloated it berthed in the communal harbour of Rendsburg.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

2,663-gt Dutch-flagged cargo M/V Nordic Erika (IMO: 9528495) ran into the embankment of the Kiel Canal near the ferry pt. Burg enroute from Gydnia to Cork on Dec 29. Tug Bugsier 15 was called to refloat the vessel which was then berthed in Brunsbuettel. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

4,847-gt Liberian-flagged tank M/V Steersman (IMO: 9050682) sufferred engine problems near Zeedorp buoy 37 enroute from Antwerp to Milford Haven on Dec 28. Vessel was stopped by anchoring and taken in tow to Hansweert.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

1543-gt Cook Islands-flagged cargo M/V Union Topaz (IMO: 8502133) collided with the sea lock in Ternewzen on Dec 28. Accident was caused by navigational error. Vessel sufferred damage at the bow. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

1130-ts German-flagged self propelled container barge Adriana (EU-No.:04000090) collided with the pilings at Gandersum on Dec 29. Vessel was breached at the bow and the master was able to ground the vessel on north shore to prevent it from sinking.[From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

18760-gt Norwegian-flagged tank M/V Frig (IMO: 8015881) sufferred an engine breakdown in a storm with 6-meter high waves and was anchored off Eschebrygga on Dec 31. Fire department now prohibits any launch of fireworks fro the pier. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

402-gt Canadian-flagged tug Atlantic Fir (IMO:9324916 ) suffered mechanical problems short after having left Quebec City towing a barge on Dec 30. Vessel had problems with the suction pumps so another tug came to assist. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

5,316-gt Cyprus-flagged cargo M/V MCP Troodos (IMO: 9356907) which was downbound on the St-Lawrence River suffered mechanical problems and had to stop near Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly on Dec 30.. The crew had problems with the suction pumps. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

3,625-gt Cayman Islands-flagged cargo M/V Ice Bird (IMO: 8915524) ran aground in Rya on Dec 29. After the ship was refloated, it proceeded to Tromsø. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

3,041-gt Russia-flagged cargo M/V Sormovskiy 3048 (IMO: 8101410) is leaking 20 liters of diesel fuel into the outer port of Gluckstadt on Dec 27. Russian captain had denied a connection between the hull and black oil film floating between the quay and his ship. Special pumps have been administered to help clean up the spill. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

972-gt Turkey-flagged cargo M/V Sinan Naiboglu (IMO: 7721976) dragged anchor off Istanbul and was in danger of running aground on Jan 1. The Vessel Traffic Center Istanbul sent the Kıyı Emniyeti 4, the Söndüren 7 and Kıyem 4 to the scene. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

14,118-gt Italian-flagged cargo M/V South River (IMO: 9164794) enroute from Szczecin to Bizerte pulled up another anchor while waiting for another ship to pass in the Kiel Canal on Jan 2. The company Schramm from Brunsbüttel was called and removed the anchor with the help of a barge and tug. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

987-gt Norwegian-flagged ferry Kvaloy (IMO: 9588794) was thought to have touched the bottom on Jan 1. Divers were sent to inspect the hull. There were no cars or passengers on board during the incident. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

5,285-gt Antigua Barbuda-flagged cargo M/V Botnia (IMO: 9418286) encountered steering problems off Malta on Dec 29. Vessel had to be towed to port and was then moored in the Grand Harbor of Valletta where it still remains. [From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen, 2-1-2012]

 

Container ship Rena, stuck off New Zealand for nearly three months, has broken into two pieces in a storm on Jan 1. Vessel is in two pieces but is still firmly grounded on the reef and may still be joined underneath. Maritime New Zealand does not expect the ship to disintegrate now that it has broken in two. Light oil sheens have been seen coming from the bow and stern of the ship. [2-1-2012]