The 65-foot charter yacht Lulu Belle was reported high and dry at Hinchinbrook in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The Lulu Belle had sailed from Port Angeles heading to Alaska when it went aground. The owner and his wife contacted the Coast Guard who dispatched a helicopter to the scene. The helicopter was able to evacuate the couple safely to the Valdez airport. No reports of injuries and no pollution was released. The yacht was to be towed to Valdez.
The 69 meter long, 1190 dwt freighter Annemarie went aground on a stone embankment on the German Hunte River after it lost steering due to the rudder failing. The river pushed the vessel until it became perpendicular blocking traffic on the river. The Annemarie was able to be refloated the same day without assistance and proceeded to Neuenhuntorf, Germany. The vessel was examined and was able to continue on to Oldenburg. No one was injured. Damage to the stone embankment was not been released. Officals will be doing an investigation into the incident.
The 6561 dwt cruise ship MSC Opera with 2000 passengers on board became disabled after losing power. Earlier the MSC Opera had lost one of its engine due to an explosion in the engine. With one engine left, the master tried to continue the voyage to Visby, Sweden, but this last running engine failed shortly afterwards. Tugs were requested and the vessel was taken under tow near Gotland. Other vessels were dispatched to assist the passengers. One report states the conditions are bad onboard with no operable bathrooms.
