On the evening of January 12, the 152 meter long, 16736 dwt bulk carrier Harvest Spirit (IMO: 9655951) ran aground on the St. Marys River off Neebish Island, Michigan. The Harvest Spirit was en route from Thunder Bay to Windsor with a cargo of canola when it suffered mechanical failure and power failure. The bulker carrier continued to drift until it went aground on the sandy bottom. The river current eventually swung the Harvest Spirit stern around and freed the vessel a few hours later. The 31 meter long tug Wilfred M. Cohen (IMO: 7629271) arrived on scene and assisted the Harvest Spirit to turn around and continue on its voyage down river. The vessel would proceed under its own power to Mud Lake where it dropped anchor.
No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the early morning of January 6, the 30 meter long, 80 gt fishing vessel Ohama Maru No. 8 (IMO: 2694609) capsized 31 kilometers east of Kitaibaraki, Japan. The fishing vessel with 20 crew on board was fishing for sardines assisted by two other vessels. As the Ohama Maru No. 8 was hauling in the catch along its starboard hull, it lost stability and began to list. Even with another vessel connected a line to the port side and pulling at full speed, the the Ohama Maru No. 8 to further list. The crew attempted to cut the net to release the fish and restore stability, but it was too late and the fishing vessel capsized.
After being thrown overboard, 15 of the 20 crew were rescued from the water. Two additional crew members were later recovered, but they had perished during the incident. Three crew were reported as missing. The Japan Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation with four patrol vessels and a helicopter searching the area. The Coast Guard stated the vessel sank in over 200 meters of water and was too deep for divers to inspect the hull.
Photo: www.yomiuri.co.jp
Reports state the Ohama Maru No. 8 had been able to haul in large catches in the past. One of the crew stated the catch was roughly 300 tons and the fishing vessel had brought in safely catches over 500 tons.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the police are considering charges of professional negligence resulting in death and a possibility of neglect in safety management. Reports state there is a large oil sheen visible above the wreck. No word if the vessel would be recovered or if there would be attempts to secure the fuel tanks.
On January 2, the 12 meter long, 19 gt fishing vessel Kulle Christoph SK30 sank in the Baltic Sea at Heikendorf, Germany. The fishing vessel had been in a bad state for some time before it sprung a leak and sunk at its berth. Reports state the vessel was owned by a local authority which was looking for a way to scrap/dispose of the vessel. There were no crew on board at the time it sank. Authorities have placed booms around the Kulle Christoph SK30 to contain the pollution. A salvage company will remove the vessel after all the necessary paperwork is completed.
