The 60 meter long, 1020 dwt freighter Mungo went aground at the entrance of the harbour of Littlehampton, England. The coastal freighter loaded with gravel had two pilots on board when it suffered most likely a steering failure causing it to run aground. The Shoreham RNLI responded to the scene along with a local tug. The Mungo will be refloated with the next high tide. No reports of injuries or pollution being released.
The 110 foot long inland tanker MS Roma allided with the Middle Wettstein Bridge at Basel, Switzerland. The tanker was proceeding down the Rhine when it suffered engine failure. The current pulled the tanker until it struck the bridge resulting in the Roma’s wheelhouse being crushed. The crew of five on the Roma were able to stop the tanker from drifting further by an emergency anchor. No reports of injury. The Roma was proceeding in ballast only and no pollution was released. Traffic on the Rhine around Basel was suspended for a short period. The Roma was taken under tow by the tug Vogel Gryff to allow traffic to continue.
The 135 meter long, 2200 ton passenger ship Scenic Ruby became disabled on the River Main near Volkach, Germany. The Scenic Ruby had 166 passengers on board for a voyage from Budapest to Amsterdam when the vessel suffered a power failure. Without power, the master of the Scenic Ruby decided to drop its anchor to stop the vessel drifting. The stern anchor chain snapped leaving the 1100 pound anchor on the riverbed, but the two bow anchors held. Later, the engine room was restrarted and the vessel was tied to a nearby quay. Divers located and recovered the anchor. The vessel continued on its voyage later the same day. No reports of injury or pollution being released.
