On December 31, the 55 meter long, 882 dwt cargo vessel Yakup Aga ran aground in the Marmara Sea near Tuzla, Turkey. As with the Guneyin, the Yakup Aga had been at anchor when rough weather struck the area. Strong winds caused the cargo ship’s anchor to drag and the vessel drifted ashore. Tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the Yakup Aga and towed the cargo vessel to Kartal. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 50 meter long, 432 dwt tanker Yowa Maru partially sank in the Japan Sea off Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan. The tanker was proceeding from Douala with 450 tons of caustic soda bound for Etajima. Just after 5 minutes leaving port, it suffered water ingress along its port side hull. Unable to control the flooding, the Yowa Maru quickly developed a list to port. The vessel continued to partially sink until part of its deck awash with a 45 degree list to port.
All four crew on board were rescued. No reports of injuries and no confirmed reports of pollution released. Authorities did place booms around the tanker as a preventative measure. The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation and will inspect the vessel to see if it possible to tow back to port.
The 72 meter long fishing vessel Yung Hsing Fa No. 168 capsized and partially sank in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The trawler had been battered by heavy seas and strong winds from typhoon Meranti before it capsized onto its side and partially sank.
