On June 26, the 81 meter long, 2450 dwt cargo vessel Dolfijn allided with wooden pilings on a pier at the outer lock in Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Dolfijn was approaching the southern lock when strong currents pull the cargo vessel onto the pilings. The vessel sustained scratches to its paint while the pilings sustained minor damage. The Dolfijn was allowed to proceed on its journey. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the morning of June 25, the 80 meter long, 3002 dwt cargo vessel Baltic Arrow (IMO: 9243863) ran aground on the River Nene near Wisbech, England. The Baltic Arrow was proceeding to Wisbech from Riga with a cargo of timber with a pilot onboard. While making a course correction, the Baltic Arrow swung to starboard and ran aground with the bow stuck on the river bank and the stern on the opposite bank. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
Initial attempts to refloat the vessel were unsuccessful due to the low water levels. A later attempt assisted by two tugs was successful later the same day on the evening high tide. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. A preliminary report stated the pilot didn’t realize he had over-corrected the vessel’s heading resulting in the grounding. Fatigue was mentioned as a contributing factor as the pilot was at the helm for over 2 hours. Local authorities have done a survey of the river and begun additional training for its pilots.
On June 14, the 198 meter long, 43,401 dwt hopper dredger Vox Maxima (IMO: 9454096) allided with the 97 meter long, 9003 dwt fuel supply tanker Marine Honour off Singapore. The Vox Maxima had gone adrift after a power blackout when it drifted into the anchored Marine Honour. The allision resulted in hull damage to the Marine Honour releasing some 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the sea. No reports of injuries.
Authorities were alerted to the incident and dispatched a response team to the scene. Booms and barriers were placed around the tanker, but large quantity of fuel oil washed on to the nearby shoreline of three islands and a nearby nature reserve. Hundreds of workers and nearly 1500 volunteers were assisting in cleanup efforts while two skimmers were attempting to remove oil from the water. The remaining fuel oil on the Marine Honour was lightered off to another tanker while 16 oil response watercraft spray oil dispersants.
Reports states biologists are monitoring the situation and evaluating the damage to the wildlife.