On the afternoon of December 18, the 86 meter long self-propelled barge Linah (MMSI: 211476540) caught fire while moored on the Elbe River at Köhlfleet, Germany. The Linah had been at moored at a jetty with 1000 tons of gypsum when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The local fire brigade arrived on scene and found the Linah engine room ablaze. Reports state multiple vessels along with 70 fire fighters were involved in extinguishing the fire. There were no injuries reported. Extent of damage to the vessel was not disclosed.
On December 9, the 90 meter long, 5214 dwt bulk carrier Langeland (IMO: 9968243) caught fire while berthed at the port of Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain. The Langeland was loading a cargo of scrap metal when a fire broke out in the cargo hold. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze by closing the cargo hatches and deploy the vessel’s fire suppression system, but the fire had burned the wires controlling the hatches. Local fire brigade was called and was able to douse the flames within a few hours. Foam was also used to prevent any further re-ignition.
Photo: puentedemando.com
Photo: eldiario.es
Photo: laprovincia.es
Photo: canarias7.es
There were no reports of injuries or pollution released. The extent of damage to the Langeland was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the night of December 7, the 100 meter long, 5720 dwt tanker Larus (IMO: 1065289) went adrift off the French coast in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Larus had been at anchor since late November after it suffered a technical fault. The tanker dropped anchor in Bay of Saint-Brieuc waiting for a commercial tug to tow to a shipyard in Estonia for repairs. Before a tug could arrive, the heavy weather from Storm Durragh caused the Larus‘s anchor to drag. The tanker requested assistance from French authorities as the vessel drifted towards the shoreline. Authorities dispatched the rescue tug Abeille Bourbon which reached the Larus around midnight.
The tug attempted to pass a towline to the Larus but it was not successful. Authorities decided to dispatch a response team to assist with the recovery. A helicopter flew the team out to the tanker and lowered them onto the deck. With the team onboard, the towline was established allowing the Abeille Bourbon to tow the Larus to the protection of the port at Brest. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
