Wiljaco-F

Wiljaco-F
Photo: l1nieuws.nl

On the morning of December 7, the 110 meter long self-propelled barge Wiljaco-F (MMSI: 244001214)  had its attached barge sink on the Maas River near Maastricht, Netherlands. The vessels were headed to Stein from Maastricht with a cargo of limestone when the barge broke loose near the entrance to the Julianakanaal. Strong currents pulled the barge free and it drifted until it ran aground and partially sank. Part of the limestone cargo did spill overboard into the waterway. No one was injured from the incident.

Authorities halted traffic between Ternaaien to Limmel.  The 65 meter long workboat Prins 6 (MMSI:244090404) arrived on scene and begun salvage operations. The Prins 6 removed the 1400 tons of cargo of limestone and used pumps to refloat the barge later the same day. Reports state the water level was higher and there was a stronger current during the incident.

Wind Walker

Wind Walker
Photo: Visit Sitka Facebook Page

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

Hubbard
Ferry Hubbard

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.

Wesel-Datteln Canal Collision

Martyna
Photo: Hünxe Fire Brigade

On the early evening of November 23, the 75 meter long self-propelled barge Martyna (MMSI: 261182696) collided head on with the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Stadt Lindenfels (MMSI: 261183460) on the Wesel-Datteln Canal near Hünxe, Germany. The Martyna sustained bow hull damage below the waterline and suffered water ingress.  To avoid sinking, the Martyna was run aground along the bank of the canal. The Hünxe fire brigade was called out and was able to control the flooding on the Martyna. The Stadt Lindenfels sustained less damage with just a meter long crack in the hull.  No reports of injuries.

Stadt Lindenfels
Photo: Hünxe Fire Brigade

Both vessels remained moored at Hünxe. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.

Correction:

Initial reports stated the collision was with the self-propelled barge Stadt Lindenfels. Later reports state this was incorrect and the collision was by a unnamed self-propelled tanker-barge.

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