Ferry Aground
The 240 meter long, 39,178 gt ferry Stena Germanica went aground in Gothenburg harbor, Sweden. The ferry’s autopilot failed steering the vessel over an area at the harbor entrance where fixed illuminated signs were mounted. The vessel’s hull struck bottom and the illuminated signs causing damage to the signs. The Stena Germanica was able to proceeed under its own power and arrived at its berth 20 minutes later. With 1150 passengers on board from Kiel, there were no injuries. Divers inspected the hull and found marks near the vessel’s bow. No signs of pollution being released. An inspection of the vessel’s hull will be conducted before it goes back into service.