Kiel Canal Collision
The 11,200 dwt boxship OOCL Finland collided with the 3148 dwt freighter Tyumen-2 on the Kiel Canal near Fischerhuette. The two vessels were approaching each other in dense fog when the OOCL Finland’s bow struck the wheelhouse of the Tyumen-2 causing it to be torned off. There were 4 men on the wheelhouse deck at the time of the collision. The pilot and a channel controller were killed. Two crewmen from the Tyumen-2 were seriously injured. The Tyumen-2 drifted until it grounded blocking the canal. The OOCL Finland suffered minor damage to the bow and several containers were damaged. The OOCL Finland continued on to Rendsburg while the Tyumen-2 had to be towed to Fischerhuette to allow canal traffic to continue. Reports state that the 4000 dwt tanker Clipper Sund and another vessel ran into the canal embankment to avoid colliding with the wrecked vessels.