The 91 meter long, 600 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Dharma Kencana II ran aground at the mouth of the Kapuas River off Kalimantan, Indonesia. The ferry was approaching the port of Pontianak with 873 passengers from Semarang when it grounded. Unable to refloat itself, authorities determined to evacuate the ferry. All 873 passengers were taken ashore safely. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On August 11, the 107 meter long, 5918 dwt container ship Merry Star ran aground in the Tsushima Strait outside the port of Hakata, Japan. The Merry Star had suffered hull damage with water ingress along with pollution released. The boxship fuel tank had ruptured and a sheen was spotted around the vessel. A tug was dispatched to the scene, but it was determined to remove the remaining fuel on board before refloating. A lighter tanker was dispatched from Hakata a few days later. No reports of injuries.
The 30 foot long, 11 ton fishing vessel Marion H sprung a leak and sank off the Columbia River Bar near Fort Stevens State Park. The Marion H had issued a mayday call while off Tilamook Head when the crew discovered the fishing vessel was taking on water. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and motor lifeboats to the scene. The helicopter arrived and dropped a dewatering pump. The lifeboat arrived soon after and assisted with dewatering and took the Marion H under tow. The vessels proceeded toward Cape Disappointment for several hours, but one of the pumps failed. The motor lifeboat dropped the tow and the Marion H sank in deep water some 10 miles offshore. No report of injuries to the two crew on board.
