The 162 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Melusine allided with the moored ferry Superspeed 1 at Hirtshals, Norway. The Melusine attempted to berth with 611 passengers and 240 vehicles when strong winds pushed the ferry against the 212 meter long ferry Superspeed 1. The vessels stayed wedged together until a tug could assist and pull the vessels apart. No reports of injuries. An inspection found minimal damage and both vessels were allowed to depart after a short delay.
On December 9, the 18 meter long fishing vessel Siempre Urbegi sank off Malpica, Spain. The Siempre Urbegi had earlier struck a rock resulting in hull damage and water ingress. The 10 crew were unable to control the flooding and requested assistance before they were forced to abandon ship. The nearby fishing vessel Anzol responded and rescued the 10 crew from the life raft. Four crew sustained injuries and were later taken to hospital. The Spanish Coastguard arrived on scene and found the Siempre Urbegi in 16 meters of water. Divers were able to partially refloat the Siempre Urbegi later the same day to allow the vessel to be towed to Malpica.
The 92 meter long cargo vessel Vtb 36 caught fire on the Thị Vải River near Vũng Tàu, Vietnam. The Vtb 36 was headed to Quy Nhơn from Cái Mép with 4630 tons of maize when a fire broke out in the vessel’s superstructure. Authorities were alerted with 2 coastguard and 5 tugs responding to the scene. The 12 crew and 4 persons on board were safely evacuated as the fire consumed the vessel’s superstructure. The blaze was later extinguished a few hours later. No reports of injuries, but the vessel sustained significant damage. Reports state the Vtb 36 is at anchor off Phước Hòa.
