Run Fu 3

Run Fu 3
Photo: maritimesutra.com

On the morning of June 11 the 171 meter long, 32115 dwt bulk carrier Run Fu 3 (IMO: 9138903) was abandoned in the Indian Ocean approximately 500 nautical miles south of the Maldives. The Run Fu 3 was headed to Lome from Tianjin when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress in one of the cargo holds. The bulk carrier’s pumps were unable to contain the flooding forcing the 23 crew on board to abandon ship. The crew sent out a distress call before evacuating into life rafts near lat 09 04 48S, long 073 34 06E.

Run Fu 3
Photo: maritimesutra.com

The 190 meter long bulk carrier Maple Harbour (IMO: 9593323) heard the distress call and diverted course to assist. the Maple Harbour reached the lifeboats several hours later and rescued all 23 crew members.   The Maple Harbour proceeded towards Port Louis, Mauritius where the Run Fu 3 to be transferred.

The Run Fu 3 was last reported adrift in sinking condition. No reports of injuries.

Ron Jeremy

Ron Jeremy

On the early morning of June 1, the 25 meter long tugboat Ron Jeremy (MMSI: 265587130) sank in Bothnian Bay south of Rödkallen Lighthouse near Piteå, Sweden. The tugboat was towing a barge loaded with timber when the tugboat suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The four crew members on board were unable to contain the flooding and were forced to abandon ship. Three of the crew were able to reach the barge and contact authorities. A SRS rescue boat arrived on site and rescued the three crew members. All three suffered from hypothermia and suffered minor injuries. The crew were later taken to hospital for treatment.  Authorities launched a search and rescue operation for the missing crew member. Multiple SRS vessels aided by two pilot boats and aircraft from the Swedish Coast Guard and one from Finland searched the area.  After several hours of searching the area, authorities were not able to find the missing crew member.

Ron Jeremy
Photo: sjofartstidningen.se

The Swedish Coast Guard reported seeing a small sheen of oil pollution over where the tugboat sank. Reports state the tug sank in 4o meters of water and divers were being sent to help close vents to prevent further fuel being released. The amount of fuel released from the Ron Jeremy has not been disclosed, but authorities have stated it should not have any environmental impact to the nearby shorelines. There are approximately 5,000 litres of diesel fuel still onboard the wreck. The incident is under investigation by the Swedish police.

 

Rickey Hughes

Photo: vicksburgnews.com

On the afternoon of May 1, the 51 meter long towboat Rickey Hughes (MMSI: 367057330) pushing a tow of barges allided with the Old Highway 80 Bridge over the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports states the Rickey Hughes was proceeding downstream when it suffered a mechanical breakdown and lost steering at it approached the bridge. The leading barge then struck the number 4 bridge pier causing the tow to break apart. Several barges broke free and drifted away while one barge remained pinned against on the bridge pier.

Authorities halted traffic on the bridge so it could be inspected. Inspectors found the bridge was undamaged and traffic resumed several hours later. Reports state there were no reports of injuries and no pollution released. The Coast Guard and local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

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