On the evening of October 21, the 70 meter long self-propelled barge Hecht (MSSI: 211496960) caught fire on the Elbe off Lauenburg, Germany. The Hecht was on a voyage from Hildensheim to Hamburg when fire broke out in the living quarters. The fire quickly engulfed the superstructure in meters high flames and spewing out dense black smoke. Multiple fire brigades were dispatched to the scene to battle the blaze. Their combined effort were able to extinguish the fire in about an hour. The crew of the Hecht were uninjured, but the vessel sustained around 100,000 euros in damage to the barge. Reports state the cargo of wheat grain was unimpacted by the fire.
Photo: feuerwehrmagazin.de
Photo: ndr.de
Photo: landeszeitung.de
Photo: landeszeitung.de
Photo: landeszeitung.de
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. No details on how the fire broke out on the vessel.
On the evening of September 27, the 36 meter long, 499 gt fishing vessel Havfjord (IMO: 9897860) caught fire in the North Sea near Bergen, Norway. Authorities received a distress call that the vessel was ablaze and in danger. The vessel reported the five person crew on board were unable to extinguish the blaze and were abandoning ship into the vessel’s life raft. Helicopters from the nearby oil platforms along with patrol vessels launched a search and rescue for the crew. Within an hour, a helicopter found the five crew and was able to lift them to safety. Two crew had sustained smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Multiple vessels found the burning Havfjord still afloat. Attempts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful as the fire consumed the superstructure. Reports state the fire was finally extinguished but flared up again the next day. The owner of the Havfjord states the vessel is a total loss. The Havfjord was built in 2022 at Karstensen Shipyard.
On the evening of October 5, the 85 meter long, 2800 dwt Royal New Zealand Navy hydrographic dive and survey ship HMNZS Manawanui (IMO: 9273662) ran aground and sank off the the island of Upolu, Samoa. The HMNZS Manawanui was doing an hydrographic survey 1 mile off the shore off a reef when it ran aground on the reef. Reports state the vessel struck a part of the reef that is much deeper than other sections known as a bommie. Due to the rough conditions and high winds the vessel most likely hit the reef in a swell causing the hull the strike the reef. The hull sustained significant damage and multiple compartments flooded. The survey ship was setting by the stern and developed a list to starboard.
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Unable to contain the water ingress, all 75 crew and passengers abandoned ship onto the vessel’s life rafts. Local Samoa authorities responded to the incident and dispatched rescue craft to the scene. Rescuers were able to transport all 75 people off the life rafts and safely ashore. Reports state 2 individuals sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital. A dozen more sustained minor cuts and abrasions from contact with the reef.
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Around the 7am the following morning of October 6, the HMNZS Manawanui was still visible above the water with a severe list. Dense smoke was spotted billowing out of the vessel suggesting a fire had engulf part of the superstructure. By 9 am the HMNZS Manawanui had finally rolled over and sunk.
Samoan authorities are monitoring the area for any pollution released. New Zealand authorities have dispatched a C-130 aircraft to Samoa with medical supplies, personnel and some light clean-up equipment. While no reports of oil pollution, there is a high chance of some fuel or hydraulic oil has been released.
Reports suggest the survey vessel may have lost power before it ran aground, but this has not been verified. Reports state there is some discussion if the vessel will be salvaged, but a site inspection will gather information to see if any salvage is feasible.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including a Court of Inquiry as the HMNZS Manawanui was purchased in 2019 for $100 million.
