The 149 meter long, 19996 dwt tanker Strilen caught fire while berthed in Busan, South Korea. The fire started in the vessel’s superstructure forcing the evacuation of the 23 crew on board. No reports of injuries. Local firefighters arrived on scene and extinguished the blaze. The cause of the fire was not reported.
The 183 meter long, 44640 dwt tanker Siteam Anja ran aground off Punta del Este, Uruguay. The tanker was en route to Rio Grande, Brasil from San Lorenzo, Argentina with 35000 tons of vegetable oil when it suffered a power black out. The tanker drifted and ran aground onto the rocks just 400 meters off the shore of Lobos Island. Authorities dispatched vessels and divers to the scene. Booms were placed around the tanker to contain any pollution released. Reports state the cargo will be lightered to another tanker. The extent of damage was not reported.
On May 12, the 47 foot long fishing vessel Capt R. M. Chase ran aground on Town Neck Beach near Sandwich, Massachusetts. The vessel was on autopilot when it ran up onto the beach. No reports of injuries to the two crew on board, damage or pollution released. During low tide an excavator was able to dig the vessel out allowing the Capt R. M. Chase to be refloated by two tugs on the next high tide. The fishing vessel proceeded to New Bedford. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.