The 89 meter long, 3150 dwt cargo vessel Hekla ran aground on the Kiel Canal near Sehestedt, Germany. The Hekla was headed to Bremen from Gdansk when it suffered a mechanical failure and drifted into the shallows. Traffic was halted on the canal until the Hekla refloated by the help of a tug a short time later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Hekla was towed to Rendsburg for inspection and was allowed to continue its voyage afterwards.
The 205 meter long, 5656 dwt cruise passenger ship Black Watch caught fire while en route to Funchal, Madeira. The fire started in the vessel’s auxillary engine room and was quickly extinguished by the crew. No reports of injuries to passengers or the crew. The crew were able to restore power after a few hours with two of the four main engines operational. The Black Watch was reported to continue its voyage to Funchal where passengers will disembark and fly home to the United Kingdom.