Shipwreck Log

Orient Princess

November 20, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the afternoon of November 18, the 150 meter long, 3909 dwt former passenger ship Orient Princess (IMO: 6708109) caught fire while berthed in Tianjin City, China. The fire was caused from sparks caused by workers doing renovation work on the vessel. The sparks ignited insulation materials and quickly spread through several decks at the stern of the vessel. Local fire fighters were called to the scene and was able to extinguished the blaze an hour later. The stern of the vessel sustained fire and smoke damage. No reports of injuries.

The Orient Princess had been permanently berthed in Tianjin as a tourist attraction with multiple restaurants atop the former cruise ship.

Princ Zadra

November 20, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the evening of November 15, the 38 meter long, 147 dwt catamaran passenger ferry Princ Zadra (IMO: 8822363) ran aground in the Adriatic Sea off the island of Premuda, Croatia. The Princ Zadra, loaded with 70 passengers, was running its route from Zadar and the offshore islands of Premuda, Silba and Olib when it ran up onto rocks off Premuda. The vessel requested assistance as the catamaran was hard aground at the bow.

Authorities from Zadar arrived on scene and found all 70 passengers were uninjured and began evacuation. Passengers were transferred to private boats and the passenger ship Vladimir Nazor which had been diverted to the area to assist in the evacuation. No reports of injuries to crew or passengers.

The following day the Princ Zadra was pushed by strong winds and slipped off the rocks. With extensive hull damage the ferry quickly flooded and sank by the stern. The vessel now rests under 50 meters of water. There has been no reports of pollution so far. Reports do state authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Wilson Caen

November 19, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the early morning of November 18, the 100 meter long, 4451 dwt cargo vessel Wilson Caen (IMO: 9173290) allided on the Elbe River with the mole at the entrance to the Brunsbüttel lock. The Wilson Caen loaded with 2,824 tons of Abfällen from Napoli, Italy bound for Loviisa, Finland. As the vessel approached the lock, the rudder failed and the Wilson Caen struck the bank fortification. The cargo vessel sustained a visible large scrape (about 11 meters in length) while a dolphin was smashed in front of the mole. There was no reports of injuries or pollution released.

Authorities detained the Wilson Caen at Brunsbüttel until it could be inspected for seaworthiness. The incident is under investigation.

This isn’t the first incident with the Wilson Caen. The vessel allided in 2012 after engine failure.