The 225 meter long, 76598 dwt bulk carrier Pireas allided with the 84 meter long, 2246 dwt support vessel Polaris in the Straits of Johor off Tuas, Singapore. The Pireas was headed for Tanjung Pelepas from Newcastle when it struck the moored Polaris. The port hull of the Pireas scraped along the foreship of the Polaris. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Pireas was detained while authorities conduct an investigation into the incident.
The 18 meter long, 83 gt towboat Ed McLaughlin capsized and sank on the Ohio River near Cheshire, Ohio. The towboat was near mile marker 259 when it lost stability and capsized. All three crewmen on board the Ed McLaughlin were able to abandon ship before the towboat sank. The crew were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Coast Guard reports the Ed McLaughlin had some 4900 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the sinking. A response team was on scene and is monitoring the situation. A light sheen has been spotted in the river suggesting some fuel has leaked from the Ed McLaughlin. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On February 7, the 40 meter long, 229 dwt coastal tanker Salim N1 ran aground near Famagusta, Cyprus. The Salim N1 had been anchored offshore when a storm struck the area. Strong winds caused the Salim N1’s anchor to drag until the tanker went ashore on the beach. The two crew on board made it safely ashore assisted by the Turkish Coast Guard. No reports of injuries.
Authorities surveyed the Salim N1 and found the tanker had sustained some damage, but no pollution had been released. The tanker’s rudder had broken during the grounding. A tug was order to standby to pull the Salim N1 off the beach when weather conditions improved.
In 2017, the Salim N1 had broken down while en route to Turkey from Malta and has been anchored off Cyprus. Built in 1952, reports state the Salim N1 may never go back into active service.