The 31 foot long fishing vessel Shekinah 2 ran aground just off the shore of Alamagan Island in the Northern Mariana Islands. The Shekinah 2 had run onto the rocks just 100 yards off the uninhabited island. Authorities in Guam were alerted and dispatched a patrol vessel to the scene. Rescuers had to travel nearly 300 miles to reach the Shekinah 2. The 110 foot long USCGC Assateague arrived and safely rescued all six crew off the fishing vessel. No reports of injuries.
On January 3, the 55 meter long towboat Joe Bobzien ran aground on the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri. The Joe Bobzien was pushing 35 barges when it went struck bottom. The barges broke free causing traffic to stop along a 30 mile stretch of the river. Reports state multiple vessels were deployed to assist recovering the barges. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 249 meter long, 116,104 dwt tanker Nordbay allided with a wharf on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. The tanker was proceeding up the river in ballast when high winds caused the vessel to veer towards the riverbank. The crew tried to alert nearby tugs, but they were unable to stop the Nordbay from striking the wharf. The tanker sustained hull damage with one of the ballast tanks holed. Ballast water was released into the river, but no oil pollution was reported. The tanker proceeded to an anchorage off New Orleans to be inspected. No reports of injuries. Reports state the Nordbay also struck the one of the water intakes as well as the wharf.
