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Author: Paul Hancock

Thor

Thor

Thor
Photo: workboat.com

On the morning of February 18, the 22 meter long, 163 gt towboat Thor (IMO: 8842246) caught fire on the Delaware River near Pea Patch Island, Pennsylvania. The Thor was pushing two barges between Delaware City and Old New Castle when a fire broke out in the engine room.  The crew was able to escape the blaze, but the fire had disabled the steering and the towboat went adrift. The crew sent out a distress call and were rescued by a nearby vessel. No reports of injuries.

The United States Coast Guard along with local authorities dispatched fire fighting vessels to the scene. Reports states the fire was extinguished and the Thor was taken under tow by the tug Wye River (IMO: 9512379).  The incident is under investigation.

Shayesth

Shayesth

Shayesth
Photo: USGS

On February 18, the 50 meter long, 450 dwt cargo vessel Shayesth (IMO: 9033036) was reported to sink in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Bahrain. The Shayesth had departed from Bushehr, Iran when it developed a strong list to starboard.  Unable to correct the list, the crew sent out a distress call and requested assistance. The United States Navy minesweeper Devastator and the United States Coast Guard cutter Clarence Sutphin Jr. assisted to rescue the 7 crew off the cargo vessel. While there were no reports of injuries, authorities did state the crew did received medical care onboard the Clarence Sutphin Jr. 

Shayesth
Photo: USGS

A short time after the crew were rescued, the Shayesth rolled over and sank. The cause of the list was not disclosed, but some reports assume the vessel suffered a cargo shift or possible suffered water ingress.

Natig Aliyev

Natig Aliyev

On February 21, the 157 meter long, 19800 dwt tanker Natig Aliyev (IMO: 9194000) allided with the anchored 140 meter long, 13596 dwt cargo vessel Begonia S (IMO: 9445540) in the Black Sea in an anchorage near Novorossiysk, Russia. The Natig Aliyev had dropped anchor near Novorossiysk after completing a voyage from Varna. Due to strong winds and heavy seas, the tanker’s anchor began to drag. The Natig Aliyev drifted until it struck the stern of the Begonia S.  Both vessels sustained only minor damage with the bow of the Natig Aliyev and the rudder of the Begonia S. Reports state there were no injuries and no pollution released.