On April 20, the barge Beachmaster IV washed ashore near Lake Worth Inlet, Singer Island, Florida. The empty barge was being towed by the 30 meter long tugboat Na Hoku when it broke free while the crew change. The barge washed up on the beach, but was undamaged. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Coast Guard has reported the barge will be pulled off the beach shortly.
The 114 meter long 2457 dwt cargo vessel Geroi Arsenala broke-in-two and sank south of the Kerch Strait some 50 kilometers from Anapa, Russia. The Geroi Arsenala had departed from Rostov-on-Don with a cargo of grain bound for Turkey. There was a storm in the area with strong winds and , but not severe to keep the cargo vessel in port. As the Geroi Arsenala passed the Kersch Starit the vessel suffered structural failure after struck by a five meter wave.
The vessel was able to send out a distress call alerting authorities the Geroi Arsenala was breaking up and sinking. The vessel remained afloat long enough for some of the 12 crew to don lifejackets and launch the ship’s lifeboat. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation deploying Russian Coast Guard and Navy vessels along with helicopters to the scene. A rescue helicopter reported seeing five crewmen in the water, but conditions prevented hoisting them to safety. One crewman, a mechanic, was later pulled from the water suffering from severe hypothermia. Additional reports state at least two bodies were recovered. Reports state the water temperature was no more than 10 degrees above freezing.
Built in 1980, the Geroi Arsenala now rests some 14 kilometers off the Kerch Strait in 100 meters of water. Authorities are concern that the cargo vessel had some 30 tons of fuel oil on board at the time of the sinking and could cause environmental damage.
https://youtu.be/Me_0HDPWVjw
Several reports suspect the Geroi Arsenala had not been sufficiently maintained for it’s advance age. Others have suggested that improper loading of cargo could have lead to the structural failure. Russian authorities have not yet stated the cause of the sinking, but have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.
The 138 meter long, 4038 dwt cargo vessel M. Andreev allided with two vessels at the anchorage at Azov, Russia. The M. Andreev was passing through the anchorage when it suffered steering gear failure. The M. Andreev struck the bow of the anchored 139 meter long cargo vessel Aleksandr Lebed and the stern of the anchored 128 meter long cargo vessel Rusich 2.
All three vessels sustained only slight damage and there were no reports of water ingress. There were no reports of injuries or pollution released. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
