Daily Vessel Casualty and Piracy Report

 

 

Edited By Christoph M. 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

 

4 SECOND QUARTER (APRIL - JUNE) 2009 MARITIME LOSSES AROUND THE WORLD ARE BELOW

 

 

VESSEL LOSS DISPATCHES FOR JUNE 2009

 

Danish royal yacht Dannebrog was struck by sailing vessel with a likely intoxicated skipper on June 17. The sailing vessel fled the scene but the skipper was later arrested at Svanemøllen Marina, Copenhagen. (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

376-ft, 4-masted Russian barque Kruzenshtern limped into Charleston harbor with a broken foremast on June 22. The damage was incurred during a fierce thunderstorm nearly halfway through its trip from Bermuda to Charleston for a Harbor Fest. No injuries reported, but the vessel was forced to retire from the third leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, a trans-Atlantic regatta that started in Vigo, Spain. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

1,800-ton oil tanker Nhat Thuan (built 1973) exploded and sank off the southern coast of Vietnam on June 17. The vessel was at anchor 3.5-nm off Vung Tau. Spill reported, 3 of 13 crew reported missing. The vessel is said to be insured with the Bao Long Insurance JS Company. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

Container M/V Safmarine Meru, Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, lost 21 containers in heavy weather near Cape Town on June 23. A navigation warning has been issued to all vessels along the South African coast. Safmarine appointed Svitzer Salvage to locate and recover the lost containers. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

Tall ship Sören Larsen suffered storm damage 200 miles east of New Zealand on June 1. No passengers were aboard at the time. Some crew suffered minor injuries. The vessel returned safely to Whangarei for repairs. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009) and our Correspondent Steve Randall (Mon. Sept. 14 2009).

 

653-ft Swedish freighter Otello (IMO-No: 9316141) allided into a pier at the Port of Hueneme, California, on June 25. The vessel suffered a large gash from the incident; the pier was also damaged. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

150,149-dwt Panama-registered COSCO bulker CHS Star collided with 100,000-dwt Cambodian ship Surf off Tianjin, ROC, on June 20. CHS Star reported damaged but no spill or injuries reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

Oil tanker Colombo Queen, with 39,000 liters fuel oil, ran aground in heavy weather off the southern Taiwanese coast on June 20. The 9 crew abandoned ship by life raft and were rescued by local coast guard. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

Passenger ferry Faith, Dar-es-Salaam to Zanzibar in Tanzania with over 50 aboard, capsized and sank on May 29. 20 people reported killed and 15 others missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

8,257-gt inter-island ferry Mandiri Nusantara caught fire and sank in the Java Sea, Indonesia, on May 31. 350 people reported safe, 10 reported missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

2,659-gt Turkish-flagged dry cargo vessel İlke Mete (IMO NO: 8202965) ran aground after rudder failure in front of Anadoluhisarı in the İstanbul Strait on June 16 at 0855LT. The vessel was refloated the same day. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

Tug boat Capt. Mack took on water and sank in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, on June 24 at 1730LT. The 2 crew were rescued without report of injury. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

Panamanian-flagged tanker M/V Kriti Jade suffered mast contact with bridge structures in San Francisco on June 26. Damage is believed to be minor/cosmetic, but the vessel was ordered to anchorage for boarding. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

N35-m Seychelle islands research vessel Indian Ocean Explorer (built 1956 as research vessel Süderoog) was torched by pirates off the coast of Somalia on or about June 24. The vessel had been captuered between March 28 and 31 in the Indian Ocean. The 7 crew were released on June 23. Reportedly, the torching was because the vessel interests paid only US$450,000 and not the US$1-mil demanded. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sun. June 28 2009).

 

Barge GTO XVIV ran aground in heavy weather at Three Sisters Rocks, west of Knysna Heads, South African coast, on June 24. The barge was being towed by the tug Hako 18 when the tow was lost. From our Correspondent John Szalay (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

Unmanned barge Margaret, bound for Rotterdam with a cargo of 13 river barge hulls, ran aground in heavy weather along a rocky shore at Jacobs Baai north of Saldanha Bay, South African coast, on June 24. The barge was being towed by the tug Salvaliant when the tow was lost. From our Correspondent John Szalay (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

3,775-dwt cargo M/V Volgo-Don 5054 (IMO 8871704) ran aground on Kama river, Russia, at km-mark 2,451, on June 23 at 2300LT. No damages reported and the vessel was refloated on June 25 with the assistance of M/V Volgo-Don 173. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

3.152-dwt M/V Turkmenistan (IMO 8891924) wrapped propeller in buoy chain in the Volga-Caspian Channel on June 22. A salvage agreement was signed with SKU ASPTR. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

382-dwt ferry Kerchenskiy-2 (IMO 7741017) allided with berth no. 6 in Kavkaz port, Kerch Strait, at 0915LT on June 23. Damages to vessel and berth nos. 5 and 6 reported. 2 passengers injured. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

4,012-GT Malta-flagged tanker M/V Montauk (IMO 9310367) ran aground on the embankment of the Gent-Terneuzen Canal near the bridge Sluiskil, Netherlands, on June 24. Tug Evergem responded to the scene, but the vessel was refloated under own power. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. June 25 2009).

 

15.13-m Dutch pusher tug Orion caught fire at the shipyard Van Grevenstein on June 22. The fire was controlled by response teams. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. June 25 2009).

 

Antigua-Barbuda flagged cargo M/V Sylvia (IMO 9454383) allided with a berthing pontoon of in Ridderkerk on June 24. The pontoon was completely destroyed. The incident was attributed to rudder failure. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. June 25 2009).

 

3,277-mt Russian cargo vessel Navigator (IMO9463463), enroute Astrakhan, Russia to Enzeli, Iran, with cargo of steel, was detained by boat no. 307 of the Kazakhstan Cost Guard on June 22 at 1603LT. This is the first time Kazakhstan arrested a Russian vessel in the Caspian Sea for violating territorial waters. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Wed. June 24 2009). UPDATE>> The vessel was released and proceeded to Enzeli, Iran, as scheduled on June 23. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Fri. June 26 2009).

 

Hijacked M/V Marathon suffered one fatality and one casualty, as confirmed on June 22 upon the Somali pirates' release of the vessel. 1 of 8 Ukranian crew died of unknown causes several days or even weeks before the vessel's release. Another crew member, a cook, was wounded in the leg during confrontation with the pirates. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

109.94-m inland tanker M/V Eiltank 124 (ex-Raab Karcher 124) allided with the city bridge in Kampen, Netherlands, on June 18. The vessel's wheelhouse, which had not been lowered as required due to technical failure, was destroyed in the incident. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

60.13-m Dutch inland water craft Wico sank at its berth in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 17 at 1900LT. The incident was attributed to shifting cargo causing the vessel to capsize. Oil spill was reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

Cement tanker M/V Nemo sank while entering the Royers lock in Antwerp, Belgium, after it suffered water ingress from an allision. The crew of 2 were rescued out of the water and the lock was closed to traffic. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

Norwegian cargo M/V Nyfjell (IMO 7602584) allided with the Nordhordland Bridge at 2230LT. Damage to vessel and bridge was reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

112-m Romanian inland water craft Mercur 202 (IMO 704643072) allided with the Nibelungen bridge on the Danube river in Linz, Austria, on June 20 at 1000LT. The ship was able to free itself after 25 minutes and continued its voyage. The incident was attributed to human error. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

Gibraltar-flagged cargo M/V Beluga Majesty (IMO-No. 9301093) ran aground on the Ems river between Borkum and Eemshaven on the Mövensteert, Germany, on June 5. The vessel was refloated at high tide with assistance of two dutch tugs. Divers surveyed the hull on June 6 and made repair. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. June 24 2009).

 

Spanish Royal Carribean Cruise Lines cruise ship Ocean Dream, operated by Pullmantur Cruises, was quarantined by Venezuelan authorities for fears of the H1N1 flu virus. The vessel docked in Grenada on June 15 but no one was permitted to leave because of reports of flu-like symptoms aboard. The ship's next destination was Barbados on June 16, but health officials refused to let the ship dock for the same reason. The ship is docked off the Venezuelan island of Margarita and the 1,200 people aboard will not be allowed off for a week, according to Venezuelan officials. (Sat. June 20 2009).

 

North Korean vessel Kang Nam suspected of carrying arms near the Chinese coast in contravention of UN resolution. USS McCain is shadowing the vessel. (Sat. June 20 2009).

 

Tanker M/V Volgoneft-104 (IMO 8230613), enroute Oktyabrsk to St. Petersburg, ran aground on the Scheksna river at km-mark 682.1, Russia, on June 18 at 0310LT. No damages or spill reported. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Sat. June 20 2009).

 

2,052-passenger Carnival cruise ship Carnival Inspiration lost passenger overboard as it sailed into Tampa, Florida, on June 15. The passenger told authorities he had been climbing on a railing for a better view when he slipped. He was rescued by one of the port's pilot vessels. (Mon. June 15 2009).

A Chinese sumbarine collided with an underwater sonar array towed by USS John S. McCain off the coast of the Philippines on June 11. The array, used to locate underwater sounds, was damaged in the incident. (Mon. June 15 2009).

 

57-ft F/V Zealot, homeport Ketchikan, Alaska, took on water in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Britich Columbia, on June 10. A Coast Guard cutter from Port Angeles prevented the vessel from sinking and towed it to Port Townsend for repairs. (Thurs. June 11 2009).

558-ft, 16,454-gt M/V Aurora lost power and struck a railroad trestle in the Newport River at the Morehead City Port, North Carolina, on June 5. The vessel was attempting to shift berths at the time of the incident. No pollution or injuries reported. The Coast Guard is investigating. (Sat. June 6 2009).

 

Syrian LTTE cargo M/V Captain Ali, with 884-tonnes cargo and 15 crew, was seized by the Sri Lankan Navy 160-nm off the Colombo seas on June 4. The vessel had sailed from the UK on April 20 as a "mercy mission" toward Puthumathalan to provide logistic supplies. The Sri Lankan navy reported the vessel had not obtained permission to enter Sri Lankan territorial waters. The vessel was towed to Colombo Harbor. (Fri. June 5 2009).

 

414-dwt Russian trawler Melekhovo (IMO 8721636) suffered ammonia leakage from refrigerator equipment while berthed in Diomid Bay Vladivostok Port repair yard, Russia, on June 2 at 1750LT. Crews from neighboring vessels were evacuated while emergency teams addressed the leak. 3 crew suffered poisoning, 1 was hospitalized. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Fri. June 5 2009).

 

Oil tanker Kodiak struck an endangered 40-50ft humpback whale and carried its carcass on its bulbous bow into Alaska's Port Valdez on June 2. Federal officials planned to tow the carcass to sea and sink it. (Wed. June 3 2009).

 

F/V Mirage collided with a drifting work boat in the Channel Islands, southern California, on June 2. The F/V suffered a hole in her hull approximately 2.5-ft above the waterline. The collision occurred in Beechers Bay at Santa Rosa Island. The work boat was unlit and adrift. The crew of the F/V made temporary repairs and returned to the mainland under Coast Guard escort. (Tues. June 2 2009).

 

Russian-flagged tanker M/V Aleksandr (IMO 9101235), enroute from Atau, Kazakhstan to Neka, Iran, ran aground in the Caspian Sea, near Kara Bogaz Gol Bay, Turkmenistan, position 41.30.4N 052.32.9E, on May 30 at 0510LT. No pollution reported. The vessel was refloated under own power and anchored for hull survey. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Tues. June 2 2009).

 

Russian-flagged M/V Nevskiy-17 (IMO 8887832) suffered engine room fire in southern Onega lake, Russia, on May 30 at 1308LT. 5 crew reported injured. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Tues. June 2 2009).

 

Inland tanker Kizhuch, with 4,999-mt oil, ran aground on river Nizhnyaya Scheksna, Russia, at km-mark 541.2 on May 31 at 0300LT. No damages or spill reported. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Tues. June 2 2009).

 

VESSEL LOSS DISPATCHES FOR MAY 2009

 

NSomalian pirates attacked M/V Maud, one of three merchant vessels under escort by Indian navy vessel INS Talway amid poor visability 225-nm east of Aden on May 28. The attack was foiled by helicopter fire from INS Talway. Other patrolling warships in the region responded to the scene and aprehended six pirates while INS Talway continued its escort mission. (Sun. May 31 2009).

 

American Commercial Lines reported a damaged towing vessel at the Jeffboat shipbuilding facility in Jefferson, Indiana was leaking diesel fuel on May 29. An estimated 1,200-1,500 gallons were spilled. A pollution control team was dispatched. (Sun. May 31 2009).

 

30,757-gt Italian ferry Vincenzo Florio, with 526 passengers, caught fire on the way from Naples to Palermo on May 28. The passengers were evacuated, 5 taken to hospital. Most of the 35 crew remained on board to fight the fire. The ferry was to be towed to Palermo. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 29 2009).

 

Offshore supply boat Capt. Rayne suffered explosion south of Atchafalaya Bay on May 28. Two men reported injured. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 29 2009).

 

85-m cargo M/V Rialto was in collision with 105-m cargo M/V Gebr. Krieger on the Neckar river near Hoheneck, Germany, on May 28. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 29 2009).

 

492-ft, 10,162-gt St. Vincent and Grenadines-flagged roro M/V Ella J (ex-Bore Sun, IMO 7521962) ran aground in Istanbul's Bosporus on May 28. The incident was attributed to technical problems. Rescue boats were dispatched to refloat the vessel. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 29 2009).

523-ft U.S. Air Force missile tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was sunk to create a new artificial reef off the Florida Keys on May 27. The vessel was formally retired in 1983 and formally struck from the naval register in 1993. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 28 2009).

 

24.7-m, 88-gt Norwegian ferry Oslo XI, with capacity for 236 passengers, allided with a pier and ran aground at Hovedøya on May 27. The vessel was safely towed to Lindøya where passengers boarded a replacement ferry. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 28 2009).

 

80-ft Italian F/V Giuseppe Castano sank while under tow to Lampedusa, Italy, on May 28. The vessel had taken on water and responding rescue teams had hoped to tow the vessel to safety. No injuries reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 28 2009).

 

Trawler M-0080 Gemini (IMO 8707757) suffered engtangled propeller and became disabled in the North Atlantic, position 58.50.0N 30.53.0E, on May 26 at 0100LT. The vessel was taken in tow by another trawler of the same shipowner and proceeded to Havnafiord, Iceland. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Thurs. May 28 2009).

 

NCargo M/V Antonis was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on May 26. Swedish Navy vessel HMS Malmo thwarted the attack and boarded one of the two pirate vessels. Seven pirates were detained; weapons and GPS equipment were seized. (Wed. May 27 2009).

 

Russian-flagged trawler Pervomaiskoye (IMO 7646736) suffered an entangled propeller and became disabled in Okhotsk Sea off the west coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, position 57.59.0N 153.12.0E, on May 25 at 0845LT. Salvage tug Predanniy was dispatched to assist and reefer vessel Titaniya stood by. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Wed. May 27 2009).

 

57,280-gt Norwegian car carrier Hoegh London (IMO 9342205) allided with 3 ships berthed at the Strom Quay in heavy winds at Bremerhaven on May 26 at 1830LT. 27,322-gt Maersk Newark (IMO 9239903) was most severely damaged, suffering ruptured hull and container overboard. The other vessels involved were the 9,991-gt Husky Racer (IMO 9144720) and the 42,450-gt Maersk Bintan (IMO 9355288). From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 27 2009).

 

153-m Peruvian vessel Mollendo ran aground on the Galapagos coast on May 23. No environmental damage reported. The vessel was taken in tow to Puerto Ayora, the capital of Santa Cruz Island, with the help of 3 other vessels. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 27 2009).

 

Unidentified pipe-laying barge, enroute to Darwin, Australia, broke free from its tow approximately 10-km off Forster on May 23. A Westpac helicopter dropped a salvage crew onto the barge to secure a new tow line. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 27 2009).

 

NNorwegian M/V Eide Trader (IMO 7734167) was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on May 23. The attack was successfully thwarted by Russian mariners of escort frigate Admiral Panteleyev. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Tues. May 26 2009).

 

5,283-gt Indonesian-flagged container M/V Tanto Niaga (ex-Eastern Satellite, IMO 7351915) collided with 8,577-gt Indonesian-flagged container Mitra Ocean (ex-Jenny Porr) at Tanjung Perak port in Surbaya, East Java, on May 24 at 1900LT. The Mitra Ocean listed, lost 45 containers overboard and foundered. An oil boom was laid around the wreck site. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 25 2009).

 

22-m passenger M/V Pen Castel, with 36 passengers (capacity for 220), briefly ran aground in the Gulf of Morbihan on May 23 at 1130LT. The vessel was escorted to Port Navalo by a rescue boat where it safely berthed the same day before proceeding to Crouesty for repairs to the hull damage. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 25 2009).

 

Ferryboat Commando 6, with approximately 60 passengers, sank off Batangas, Philippines, on May 23. 12 people reported killed. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 23 2009).

 

80-m German inland tanker M/V Markus P suffered machine failure on the Rhine at km 271.5 on May 22 at 1810LT. The vessel was taken under tow by vessel Marie-Louise. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 23 2009).

 

NLebanese-flagged cargo M/V Maria K and American-flagged cargo M/V Maersk Virginia were attacked by 9 Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on May 22. Canadian warship HMCS Winnipeg dispatched three naval helicopters to the scenes and an Italian naval helcipter joined the effort as well. The attacks were thwarted and the pirates were seized by Italian seamen. (Fri. May 22 2009).

 

Singapore-flaggged tanker M/V Vertex, with 17 crew and 2,000 tons oil sludge, caught fire off Pengerang, Malaysia, on May 18. 2 crew are unaccounted for and at least 5 others suffered injuries. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 22 2009).

 

41,936-gt Russia-flagged tanker Volgoneft-140 (IMO 8727927, built 1978) ran aground River Volga, km-mark 899.8, on May 19 at 0845LT. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

532-gt Norwegian cargo M/V Chain Trimmer (IMO 7411648) suffered machine failure and was taken in tow by rescue boat Kristian Gerhard Jebsen towards the Hjeltefjord, Norway, on May 19. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

614-ft, 38,853-gt German-flagged tanker BW Herdis (IMO 9292216) suffered hyrdaulic anchor line explosion 30 miles northwest of Tampa Bay, Florida, on May 19 at approximately 1700LT. One crew was injured and air-lifted by a Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter. His condition is stable. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

A collision between towboat Golden Eagle and Mary Ann set 26 barges adrift on the Mississippi River near Helena, Arkansas, south of Memphis, Tennessee, on May 19. River traffic was closed between mile markers 595 and 640. No injuries or pollution reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

A Chinese F/V rescued 5 fishermen from a life raft near the Zhongsha Islands, China on May 20. The fishermen had been drifting for 15 days. Two others were dead and another missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

188-m, 18,322-gt St. Vincent-Grenadines-flagged bulkcarrier Pine Trader suffered power loss and water ingress nearly causing the vessel to go aground near Cape Infanta, South Africa, on May 21. A salvage tug was dispatched to assist the vessel. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

Inland water craft Confidential lost 17 containers after suffering an unstable list at Uniport in the Waal Harbor of Rotterdam on May 15. The vessel was being pushed by tug Calipso at the time of the incident. One crewman suffered serious injuries after being struck by a container. The crane ship Mercurius-Amsterdam was on scene within 30 minutes to begin container recovery. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 20 2009).

 

F/V Marsoine 1 capsized off the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, Canada, on May 18. 1 person reported killed, 1 missing, 1 rescued. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 19 2009).

 

67-m inland water craft Moria suffered generator room fire at Terneuzen, Netherlands, on May 18. Rescue teams extinguished the flames and damage reported to be limited. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 19 2009).

 

Russian-flagged reefer vessel Nadezhda (IMO 7379553, ex-Sumiyoshi Maru No 3) suffered machine failure in the Japan Sea, 10 miles off Honshu, Japan, position 40.57N 139.52.0E on May 18. The vessel was taken under tow to Hakodate, Japan, by Japanese Coast Guard the same day. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Tues. May 19 2009).

 

187-gt tug Brigadir Gusez (IMO 8929757, built 1981) suffered water ingress while berthing at Kanonerskiy Plant, St. Petersburg, on May 15 at 2343LT. The vessel was intentionally grounded but patched and refloated the next day. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen and our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

General cargo M/V Volgo-Don 5065 (IMO 8872734) ran aground on the river Volga, Russia, km-mark 1,885.5, on May 16 at 0300LT. No spill reported and tug Peleng was dispatched to assist in refloating efforts. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen and our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

Sand carrier Haida No. 8. capsized and sank off the coast of Suizhong County in northeast China's Liaoning Province on May 14. 12 people reported missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

20,606-gt Bahamas-flagged cruise ship Astor (IMO 8506373), with approximately 600 passengers, ran aground at Copenhagen on May 15 at 1400LT. The vessel was refloated the same day with the assistance of Danish tug Svitzer. The vessel's hull was examined by divers before it was allowed to continue its voyage. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

NEgyptian-flagged M/V Amira (IMO 9216248) was attacked by pirates approximately 75-nm south of Al Mukalla, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, on May 13. Several assault rifle rounds and one rocket propelled grenade round struck tthe vessel but resulted in little damage. The attack was abandoned after boarding attempts failed. Republic of Korea destroyer ROKS Munum the Great (DDG 976) and guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) responded to the distress call and located the apparent mothership by helicopters. USS Gettysburg (CG 64) seized the mothership and brought aboard 17 suspected pirates for questioning. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

120-m Dutch river cruise ship Avalon Affinity, with 122 passengers, ran around on the Rhine at Rüdesheime on May 18. The vessel was refloated by way of ballasting operations. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 18 2009).

 

2,460-gt general cargo ship M/V Omskiy-141 (IMO 8873764, built 1989), enroute Cherepovetsk to St. Petersburg, was pushed aground by ice and wind in the Volgo-Balt Channel, km-mark 898.3, Russia, on May 14 at 0010LT. No spill reported. The vessel was refloated with the assistance of tug MB-1212 and was subjected to inspection. From our Moscow Correspondent Mike Voitenko (Thurs. May 14 2009).

 

11-m F/V Kalahari sank off the sound of Harris, UK, on May 13. Stornoway Coastguard air-rescued the two crew. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 14 2009).

 

Australian naval vessels HMAS Sydney and HMAS Ballarat, both on a six-month tour of north America, Europe and Northern Asia, experienced minor accident while docking in Cochin, India on May 9. Slight damage to the flight deck nets of HMAS Sydney reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 13 2009).

 

73-m Norwegian reefer vessel Framnes (IMO 7823982), St. Petersburg to Muuga, Estonia, ran aground 14.5-km off Muuga on May 10 at 2345LT. THe vessel was refloated with tug assistance. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 13 2009).

 

768-gt German ferry Frisia 6 (IMO 8827179), Juist to Norddeich with 200 passengers, ran aground one mile off the port of Juist on May 12. Eight passengers were evacuated because of weak health. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 12 2009). UPDATE>> The vessel was successfully refloated on May 13 at 0230LT. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. May 13 2009).

 

German tug Jörn pushing 3 empty barges allided with the Peute Bridge, Peute Canal, Hamburg, on May 5 at 1445LT. Both a barge and the bridge suffered slight damage. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 12 2009).

 

8,499-dwt M/V UAL Nigeria, in service between Houston / Veracruz and Gabon, Angola and Equatorial Africa, with high value oilfield equipment, breakbulk cargo and containers, suffered machine failure in the North Atlantic on May 6. General average has been declared and the Greek shipowners have appointed Blue Seas Adjusters. Smit Salvage were engaged under an LOF to bring the vessel to Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. Most, if not all, of the cargo is insured in the United States. From our Correspondent Hildegard E. Krause (Tues. May 12 2009).

 

50-ft F/V Jaime Marie, with 2 crew, reported taking on water 44 miles west of Kodiak, Alaska, on May 11. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from the Air Station Kodiak delivered two pumps which allowed the vessel to safely return to Kodiak without report of injury. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 12 2009).

 

75.1-m Dutch inland tanker M/V Iris, with load of gasoline, suffered machine room fire in the Binnenhavenstraat in Hengelo, Netherlands, on May 11. The fire was successfully contained and extinguished with foam. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 12 2009).

 

Unidentified ferry, with approximately 150 people aboard, sank in the Meghna in Uttar Matlab Upazila, Bangladesh, on May 11. 8 people confirmed dead and 20 others missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 11 2009).

F/V 04637, with 11 people on board, was in collision with a larger vessel and sank near the Yangtze River estuary in Shanghai on May 11. 1 person confirmed dead and 8 others missing. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 11 2009).

110-m German inland tanker M/V Siam, built 1987, ran aground at Everingen on May 10. The vessel was able to refloat under own power. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 11 2009).

Russian reefer M/V Petrozawodsk, with crew of 12, ran aground at the southern tip of Bjørnøya (Bear Island) in the Arctic, between Norway and Spitzbergen, on May 11. A Seaking rescue helicopter from Air Base Svalbard and Russian trawlers responded to the scene. The crew was evacuated and transported to Bjørnøya without report of injury. Pollution reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Mon. May 11 2009).

N30,000-tonne M/V Malspina Castle, which was seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Apr. 6, was freed on May 9. The pirates first held the vessel near Garaad and later moved it to Eyl in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Puntland. The crew of 24 (16 from Bulgaria, 4 from the Philippines, 2 from Ukraine, 1 from Russia and 1 from India) were reported in good condition. At least 19 ships are still being held by Somali pirates along with several hundred crew. (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

47,255-gt Malta-flagged cruise ship Zenith (IMO 8918136), with 550 passengers, ran aground off Copenhagen on May 10. The vessel was refloated and returned to Copenhagen for hull surveys. Pollution control vessel Mette Miljø was dispatched to the scene as a precaution. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

1,902-gt Westbound Norwegian cargo M/V Indian (IMO 7359149) ran aground on the embankment of the Kiel Canal close to Kudensee on May 10. The vessel was able to refloated under own power and proceeded to Brunsbuettel for investigation, where it was cleared to proceed to Rotterdam. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

Heavy load vessel Zhen Hua 27 (IMO 9396294) broke free from its mooring while berthed at TECON Terminal in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, on May 5. The vessel collided with tanker Amalthia and bulk carrier Kyla (IMO 8000460). Vessel Kyla reportedly suffered considerable damage at the stern. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

F/V QNg 96419-TS, with 11 crew, struck a coral reef off Paracels Islands and was wrecked on May 6. The vessel was heading to Hoang Sa to avoid the troical storm Chan Hom. The crew were rescued by Chinese vessel Nan Hai Cuu 101 and were transferred to Chinese Navy Ship Hoa Sen 951 on May 8 off the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

Inland tanker M/V Indux ran aground at the Maas Lock, Rotterdam, on May 8. The vessel was refloated with assistance from F/V Stellabel and tug Havendienst 13. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 10 2009).

 

67-m unmanned barge Goliath, under tow by Tug Sea Alpha, took on water approaching Dover Port, UK, on May 8. The barge was intentionally grounded at Kingsdown after emergency crews were unable to keep up with water ingress. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 8 2009).

 

Canadian naval frigate HMCS Fredericton suffered engine room fire off the coast of Nova Scotia on Apr. 30. No injuries reported and the vessel's schedule was not disrupted. The vessel is scheduled to be dispatched to the Indian Ocean in June to join the international effort fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 8 2009).

 

14,621-gt Danish ferry Prins Richard (IMO 9144419), underway from Rødby to Puttgarden with 193 passengers, suffered arson fire on May 5. A 16 year old boy was questioned by police in connection with the incident. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 8 2009).

 

33.61-m, 153-gt German ferry Spiekeroog 3, with 90 passengers, suffered machine failure on its way from Neuharlingersiel to Spiekeroog on May 7. The rescue boat Neuharlingersiel took the vessel in tow to Neuharlingersiel. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Fri. May 8 2009).

 

28.05-m Dutch tanker M/V Geo suffered water ingress and developed a list at the port of Scheveningen, Netherlands, on May 5. With the assistance of rescue boat Kitty Roosmale Nepveu, the vessel was dewatered. The cause of ingress was attributed to a a faulty pump in the machine room. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

N145.6-m, 7,767-gt Cargo M/V Vicotria (IMO 9290074), with 10 crew, was seized by Somalian pirates on the way to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on May 6. The vessel was travelling in the east-west corridor in the Aden bight when it was attacked. The vessel was built in 2004 and is owned by Intersee-Schiffahrt Haren-Ems. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

Safari vessel Vindhu, with 13 aboard, ran aground on Farukolhu Fushi reef, Maldives, and sank on May 5. All aboard were safely evacuated by a police rescue launch. Maldives Coast Guard has commenced activities to salvage the vessel. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

128-m, 8,505-gt Marshall-Islands-flagged tanker M/V Marida Mimosa was in collision with 27-m sailing vessel Freddy on the Elbe near Brunsbüttel, Germany, on May 5. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

40-m, 100-gt German river ferry Konrad Adenauer, connecting Niederdollendorf and Bad-Godesberg on the Rhine with capacity of 250 passengers and 21 cars, lost a 5-ton ramp shortly after departure from Niederdollendorf on May 4. The ramp was recovered by a salvage company on May 6. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

30,053-gt Italian-flagged tanker M/V East Point (IMO 9318022) ran aground at Skagen Rev, Denmark, on May 6. Coast Guard vessel Thurø and anti-pollution vessel Mette Miljø were dispatched to the scene. The vessel was successfully refloated after several efforts and sent to an nchorage off Aalbæk for thorough inspection by divers. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

Cement clinker lightering vessel Titu 9, with 13 crew, sank while loading cement clinker from the Honduran flagged M/V Morris on May 6. The crew was evacuated without injury. (Thurs. May 7 2009).

 

208-m, 8,000-ton cargo M/V Accolade allided with a jetty while attempting to dock on Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, on May 4. No injuries reported but the vessel sustained hull damage and the wharf was damaged. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 5 2009).

 

F/V Hwa Fong 707 suffered fire while berthed in Cijin fishing port, near Kaohsiung Port in southern Taiwan on May 4. 3 crew died and 2 others were injured. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 5 2009).

 

71-ft F/V Doris Jean, transporting farm equipment from Jacksonville, Florida to Dominica, suffered fire and sank 20-nm south of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, on May 3. The sole crewman was rescued from life raft without injury by Coast Guard Cutter Cushing, which transported him to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen and our Correspondent Capt Robert Parker (Tues. May 5 2009).

 

Tow vessel Sam Litrico, with 15 grain barges in tow, allided with the Florance Railroad Bridge on the Illinois River near Florence, Illinois, on May 3 at 0730LT. The bridge suffered structural damage and ten barges broke free but were quickly recovered. No injuries or pollution reported, but the bridge will remain closed to automobile traffic until repairs are completed. The Coast Guard is allowing southbound marine traffic to transit under tow length and with width restrictions. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 5 2009).

 

289-gt Swedish inland passenger M/V Diana (IMO 8634120), with 53 aboard, ran aground on the Göta Canal between Kittelö and Langö, northeast of Oxelösund, Sweden, on May 5 at 0350LT. The vessel was evacuated without report of injury. The vessel was refloated at 2000LT and proceed to Stockhold under own power, escorted by tug. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Tues. May 5 2009).

 

NFrench military vessel Nivose was rushed by two pirate skiffs 620 miles east of Mombasa, Kenya, on May 4 at 0430GMT. The pirates mistook the vessel for a commercial ship. The skiffs were carrying AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, but the pirates did not fire. The 11 pirates are being held for questioning on the Nivose. (Mon. May 4 2009).

 

NM/V Ariana, with 35,000 tons Soya, was seized by pirates in the Indian Ocean, 250-nm northwest of the Sychelles, on May 2. The crew is reported Ukrainian and unharmed. A European Union Protection Aircraft as deployed to monitor and track the vessel, making its way toward Somalia. (Sat. May 2 2009).

NBahamas oil tanker M/V Kition was approached by pirate skiff on May 1. The vessel broadcast an emergency alert. The Portuguese warship NRP Corte-Real and its helicopter responded and intercepted the pirates. Portuguese Navy special forces boarded the pirate mother-ship, finding and destroying 4 AK-47s, a rocket-propoelled grenade and four explosives. They seized 19 suspected Somali pirates but released them after consulting with Portuguese national authorities. (Sat. May 2 2009).

 

22-m, 62-gt German tug Flensburg, built Wilmshaven in 1954 and home port Glückstadt, ran aground on the Elbe near Wewelsfleth, Steinburg community, on May 1. The vessel developed a 30-degree list requiring evacuation. No injuries reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 2 2009).

 

83-ft Polish F/V WLA 127, one of the biggest in the Polish fishing fleet, reported missing with 5 crew aboard after last radio contact on Apr. 30. 13 rescue ships from Denmark, Sweden and Finland as well as four helicopters searched over 140 square miles in the Baltic Sea. The search was called off on May 1; only an empty lifeboat and parts of the wrecked vessel were found. The trawler had set out from the port of Darlowo on April 27 for the fishing grounds off Bornholm. Since Apr 30, the Danish Navy had been holding an annual rescue exercise in the area with 23 vessels from seven countries around the Baltic Sea. A plane taking part in the drill launched the search after spotting a life buoy, the lifeboat, wreck parts and an oil slick. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Sat. May 2 2009).

 

NRussian anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev captured a suspected pirate vessel with 29 people on board off the coast of Somalia on Apr. 28 at 1212GMT. 7 Kalashnikov rifles, various pistols, an aluminum ladder, satellite navigation equipment and a large quantity of ammunition was discovered aboard the pirate vesel. The pirate vessel is suspected to be the one which unsuccessfully attempted to attack a tanker with Russian crew travelling through the region on Apr. 27. (Fri. May. 1 2009).

 

VESSEL LOSS DISPATCHES FOR APRIL 2009

 

Dominica-registered roro M/V Boll suffered water ingress, capsized and partially sank in the port of St. Kitts, Carribean, in the moring of Apr. 29. The incident occured while loading a cargo of six trucks with sand. The crew was successfully evacuated without injury. The vessel is owned by Sakra Shipping, and it is operated between St. Kitts and neighbouring islands by the TDC Group of Companies. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Apr. 30 2009).

 

57-m, 2,250-gt German ferry Nordfriesland (IMO 9102758, built 1995) had rubber hose entangled in propulsion causing machine failure off Amrum island, German North Sea coast, on Apr. 25. The vessel was intentionally grounded off the port of Wittdün where the obstruction was removed at low tide during the night of Apr. 26. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Apr. 30 2009).

 

43-m, 342-gt Panama-flagged cargo M/V Tevlus (IMO 5340065, built 1953), with crew of 5, ran aground on the Tangenodden at Hurum, Norway, on Apr. 30. The rescue boat Odd Fellow II and two tugs successfully refloated the vessel, which then proceeded under own power. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. Apr. 30 2009).

 

55-ft Black Pearl, home port San Francisco and en route to Texas via the Panama Canal, sank 50 miles west of Costa Rica on Apr. 28. A Coast Guard C-130 crew, from Air Station Sacramento, located the life raft in the vicinity of the Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon signal and confirmed there were two people in the life raft. 378-ft high endurance cutter Sherman was in the vicinity and was diverted to the scene where it rescued the two men. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. Apr. 29 2009).

 

Commercial F/V Volare, with two aboard, took on water approximately 4 miles off Santa Catalina Island, California, on Apr. 28. A Coast Guard HH65-C rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles was immediately diverted from training operations offshore of Marina del Rey, California to locate the vessel. Rescuers from Baywatch Isthmus and Isthmus Harbor Patrol also responded. The F/V was taken under tow, the source of flooding unknown. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. Apr. 29 2009).

 

65-m Norwegian offshore supplier Ocean Sky (IMO 7400807) suffered machine room fire in the Northsea and was disabled on Apr. 29. Rescue boat Det Norske Veritas responded to calls for aid and towed the vessel toward Kristiansund. No injuries reported. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. Apr. 29 2009).

 

840-gt German ferry Frisia I (IMO 7018604), owned by Norden-Frisia, Norderney, ran aground while departing from Norderney on Apr. 27 at 0700LT> The vessel was able to refloat under own power with rising tide after approximately 90 minutes. The passengers were not evacuated. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Wed. Apr. 29 2009).

 

Unidentified barge struck rocks and capsized on the Yangtze River near Longmentan, China, on Apr. 27. 900 tons of coal was dumped into the river as a result of the incident. The 5 crew were rescued without injury. Salvage efforts were immediately commenced and are expected to take approximately one week.