The 4300 dwt freighter Yongxin collided with a fishing vessel in the early morning off the coast ofZhejiang, China in the East China Sea. The collision resulted in the fishing vessel to sink with its 2 crewmen. A search of the area by rescue vessels were unable to find the missing crewmen. The Yongxin was carrying a cargo of silica sand from Danang, Vietnam to Jinhae, South Korea. The cause of the accident is being investigated.
The 17324 dwt freighter Ainu Princess was disabled off the Dry Tortugas after it’s engine failed and lost propultion. The Ainu Princess was loaded with 8800 tons of dry grain from New Orleans bound for Mariel, Cuba. The vessel contacted the Coast Guard for assistance that it was at risk of going aground. The Coast Guard was on scene, but the Owners of the Ainu Princess had arranged the tug Resolve Pioneer to tow the vessel to Mariel. The tug will release its tow just outside the harbor as it cannot enter Cuban territorial water.
The 135 meter long, 3797 ts, barge Chilandia went aground on the Rhine River near Dettenheim,Germany. The location was near the position where the Onderneming IV had gone aground a few days before (see post). The vessel was freed after hundreds of tons of its cargo of cellulose bales were lightened. Damage is reported to be around 30.000 (30,000) €. Reports state the master ignored an order by the water and shipping administration. The authority had conducted soundings at the grounding site and is now considering restrictions on shipping.