On August 27, the 12 meter long towboat Intrepide partially sank while moored at a quay in Baasrode, Belgium. The towboat became flooded when one of the mooring lines became trapped when the tide changed. The Intrepide became trapped and the vessel’s stern slowly sank The local fire brigade was alerted and attempted to pull the Intrepide back to the quay, but the towboat was too waterlogged and the mooring line had to be cut. The Intrepide sank by the stern. No reports of injuries.
The 50 meter long passenger ro-ro ferry Insula Oya 2 ran aground in the Fromentine Channel off Vendée, France. The Insula Oya 2 was enroute from Fromentine to Yeu when it stranded on a sandbar. The vessel remained “high-and-dry” as the ferry was left on the bar in the receding tide. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The SNSM lifeboat from Fromentine arrived on scene and transferred the two passengers from the Insula Oya 2 back to shore. During the next high tide, multiple SNSM lifeboats were able to refloat the Insula Oya 2.
On July 15, the 200 meter long, 36286 dwt bulk carrier Idee Fixe ran aground off Douala, Cameroon. The Idee Fixe, loaded with grain from Canada, was en route to Douala and Owendo when it ran hard aground at an anchorage off Douala. No reports of injuries. The bulk carrier was unable to refloat itself and requested assistance. Reports state the vessel signed a Lloyds Open Form with Smit for assistance with refloating.