Wind Walker

Wind Walker

Wind Walker
Photo: Visit Sitka Facebook Page

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

Hubbard
Ferry Hubbard

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.

How much force is in a bridge allision?

How much force is in a bridge allision?

Alphenaar
Photo: ad.nl

On the evening of November 29, the residents near the Coenecoop Bridge in Waddinxveen, Netherlands discovered how much of an impact a bridge allision can be. The 90 meter long self-propelled container-barge Alphenaar (MMSI: 244059204) was proceeding on the Gouwe River when it struck one of the pillars of the bridge. Residents stated they could hear a loud bang and many houses shook from the allision. Traffic on the bridge and on the river was halted for several hours until the vessel and bridge could be inspected. While the inspection found no damage to the bridge, the Alphenaar sustained limited bow damage. Authorities allowed the vessel to proceed on its journey.  No reports of injuries or pollution released. See video of allision at ad.nl

Alphenaar
Photo: ad.nl

The Alphenaar was involved in prior allision this year near Gouda on October 26.

Klaipeda

Klaipeda

Klaipeda

On the morning of November 27, the 88 meter long, 4068 dwt cargo vessel Klaipeda (IMO: 9106584) stranded on the Kiel Canal near Dükerswisch, Germany. The Klaipeda was head for Liepaja from Jmuiden when it suffered mechanical failure and became disabled blocking traffic. Authorities halted traffic between Kudensee and Fischerhütte a short period until tugs could take the Klaipeda under tow.  Two tugs proceeded to tow the Klaipeda to Brunsbüttel.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.