On the morning of February 2, the 96 meter long, 2885 gt ro-ro passenger ferry Queen of Capilano (IMO: 9008354) allided in the Queen Charlotte Channel on Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada. The Queen of Capilano was departing from Snug Cove, Bowen Island bound for West Vancouver when it slammed into multiple moored smaller vessels before striking the dock. Reports state the dock and moored vessel sustained damage, but the ferry seemed undamaged from the incident. The Queen of Capilano continued on its voyage to West Vancouver. The ferry made several other crossing before it suffered a mechanical breakdown with the propulsion system. There no reports of injuries and no pollution was released.
Photo: nsnews.com
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the allision. Factors such as a mechanical breakdown or strong winds may have caused the allision.
On the morning of February 1. the 150 meter long, 10600 dwt container ship Bernhard Schepers (IMO: 9492505) allided with the lock in the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. Reports state the boxship was entering the new north lock in dense fog when it struck the central tail and gate niche. While there were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released from the Bernhard Schepers, the lock gate did sustained some damage. Authorities have stated the lock gate is inoperable and the Bernhard Schepers has remain stuck within the lock. The water police has not released any further details, but it is assumed repairs are ongoing to get the lock gate working again.
There have been several recent allisions at Brunsbüttel which has damaged both the north and south locks. Here are just a recent few:
On the morning of February 1, the 32 ton fishing vessel Samgwangho and the 29 ton fishing vessel 33 Manseonho ran aground in stormy conditions near Tokki Island off the coast of Jeju, South Korea. The Korean Coast Guard had received an alarm from the 33 Manseonho which also transmitted its location. The Coast Guard was able to communicate with the vessel and confirm the vessels had run up on the rocks. Six Coast Guard vessels along with one from the South Korean Navy launched a search and rescue mission. Eleven of the crew would be later rescued by the Coast Guard. Two crew members, one from each vessel, were reported missing. A nighttime search was conducted to locate the missing crew.
Reports state also that there were 2 deaths from the incident. Both the captain of the Samgwangho along with a crewmember of the 33 Manseonho suffered cardiac arrest. Both were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Both vessels sustained heavy damage by the storm as waves pounded the hulls against the rocks. An aerial view over the two vessels found they had broken apart with one missing its stern while the other lost large portion of its forepeak which washed ashore a short distance away. Pollution and debris could be seen along the nearby shoreline. There is no official statement from the owners if the vessels would be salvaged, but it appears the two fishing vessels were a total loss.
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: Koreahearld.com
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: mbc.com
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are also investigating a possible false report of the number of crew on board the vessels. The 33 Manseonho had 8 crew on board while the Samgwangho had 7 crew. Authorities state there was some confusion to how many were reported during the rescue operations. News reports state one of the fishing vessels had suffered engine failure before running aground. No further details reported.
