On October 28, the 24 meter long charter vessel Svanen West (MMSI: 265566860) sank on the Göta älv river at the quay in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vessel had sunk at its berth leaving only its masts and part of the wheelhouse above the water.
Authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. Oil and diesel fuel was leaking from the vessel and authorities placed booms around the vessel to contain the pollution. No one was onboard the Svanen West at the time of the sinking. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the evening of October 28, the 76.5 meter long, 2336 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Agia Theodora (IMO: 8822155) ran aground in the Ionian Sea 4 nautical miles off Igoumenitsa, Greece. The ferry was on a voyage from Corfu to Igoumenitsa with 550 passengers and 16 crew on board when it ran aground in shallow water. Unable to free itself, the Agia Theodora requested assistance. The Greek Coast Guard dispatched multiple vessels and tugboats to assist in refloating the ferry.
The ferry aided by the tugboats was able to refloat itself a short time later. The vessels proceeded to Igoumenitsa without out issue. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the morning of October 12, the 67 meter long self-propelled barge Humadivi (MMSI: 205419480) sank on the Meuse off Borgharen, Belgium. The Humadivi had departed from Bosscherveld with a cargo of white sand when it run into issues on the Meuse. The barge was caught by strong currents and was pulled into an open gate on the Borgharen weir. The stern of the Humadivi became wedge in the opening allowing the river to quickly flood into the vessel’s holds and later sinking the barge. The two crew on board were safely rescued and were unharmed.
Photo: swzmaritime.nl
An initial salvage with towlines was attempted, but it failed to budge the Humadivi from the bottom. Another attempt dredged around the barge, removed the cargo hatches and lightered the remaining cargo of sand, but the Humadivi could not be lifted. Several days later additional pumps and a winch cable system were able to free the vessel from the weir. The Humadivi was pulled away where it was towed to Beatrixhaven. There the vessel was completely pumped free of water so a crane could lift and place it atop another barge so it can be taken to a shipyard for repairs. Reports state most of the cargo of white sand had been washed away during the incident.
An inspection of the weir found it sustained little to no damage and the opening was closed allowing the water level to rise on the Meuse. Reports state vessel traffic could be resumed on October 19.
