The 85 meter long self-propelled barge Pura Vida allided with a lock on the Moselle River near Pagny-sur-Moselle, France. The barge was entering the lock when it suffered a fault with the gearbox causing the vessel to crash into the lock gate. The Pura Vida suffered minor damage, but the lock gate was dented and a protection barrier was destroyed. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 155 meter long, 24779 dwt bulk freighter Thermopylae Sierra sank near Colombo, Sri Lanka. The freighter had been at anchor since 2009 when the vessel was detained by the authorities after a cargo and crew dispute. There was no crew on board at the time of sinking, but some 70 tons of fuel was in the vessel’s tanks. Some 370 tons of fuel oil had been removed a month earlier. Authorities state the vessel sank due to hull failure do to the lack of maintenance. Officials expect some pollution to appear from the sunken vessel in the following days.
The 262 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Super Shuttle Ferry 15 went aground near Merida, Leyte, Philippines. The ferry had left port at Ormoc City with 191 passengers headed for Cebu City when it lost power after suffering engine failure. The vessel drifted until it ran aground onto shallow waters. The vessel contacted the Philippine Coast Guard stating the vessel had gone aground and it’s sister ship, the Super Shuttle Ferry 23, was being sent to the scene. A few hours later the Super Shuttle Ferry 23 arrived and safely transferred 185 passengers and proceeded back to Ormoc City. No reports of injuries. The Super Shuttle Ferry 15 will be refloated by the assistance of the Super Shuttle 23 on the following day. Authorities dispatched inspectors and personnel to help assess the situation.
