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Author: Paul Hancock

Petar Hektorović

Petar Hektorović

Petar Hektorović
Photo: net.hr

On the morning of July 7, the 91 meter long, 804 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Petar Hektorović (IMO: 8702446) allided in the Adriatic Sea at the port of Split, Croatia. The Petar Hektorović had gone adrift as its mooring lines snapped during a severe storm. The strong winds and blinding rain quickly pushed the ferry through the harbour in Split.  The Petar Hektorović would minutes later strike a moored 47.5 meter long, 84 dwt catamaran passenger ship Krilo (IMO: 9500493) before striking the nearby tourist passenger ship 43.5 meter long Kruna Mora. The tourist boat was severely damaged by the allision and would later sink.  The master of the Petar Hektorović would drop both of its anchors to keep the ferry from causing any further damage.

Local fire brigade along with emergency personnel arrived on scene and found there were no injuries and no pollution released. Fire fighters placed booms around the sunken Kruna Mora to contain any pollution released. The full extent of damage to the Petar Hektorović  and the Krilo was not disclosed, but the ferry showed a visible gash along the hull above the waterline along with some hull damage to the stern. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Collision off Lucena City

Collision off Lucena City

Peñafrancia VI
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard

On the morning of July 3, the fishing vessel Sr. Fernando II collided with the ro-ro passenger ferry Peñafrancia VI in Tayabas Bay off the port of Lucena, Quezon, Philippines. The two vessels collided head-on resulting in damage to the Peñafrancia VI‘s starboard section of the bow and ramp. The Sr. Fernando II also sustained bow damage. There were no injuries to the 82 passengers and 18 crew on the ferry and the 16 crew on the fishing vessel.  No pollution was released.

The Philippine Coast Guard were alerted and ordered the Peñafrancia VI back to port. The Coast Guard then assisted having all passengers and vehicles off the ferry while the Peñafrancia VI was inspected for damage. An investigation found the fishing vessel had made an error with steering causing it to turn towards the approaching ferry. Reports state the owners of the vessels have settled over the costs from the incident.

 

Capsizing in Dongjiang

Capsizing in Dongjiang

Passenger ship capsizes on Lake Dongjiang; 2 killed
Photo: nfnews.com

On the afternoon of July 5, an 40-seat passenger excursion vessel capsized at Dongjiang Lake near the city of Zixing, China. Reports state a strong sudden gust of wind reaching 30 meters per second struck the passenger ship causing the vessel to capsize and sending 29 people into the water.  Twenty-seven would be later rescued, but 2 people would perish during the incident.  A search and rescue would recover the bodies by the following day.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Initial reports state the vessel was not overloaded and there were no prior issues with the vessel. The name of the vessel was not disclosed.