Browsed by
Author: Paul Hancock

TB Toranes

TB Toranes

TB Toranes
Photo: NSSR

On March 29, the 18 meter long tugboat TB Toranes (IMO: 257103600) became disabled in the North Sea off Årabrotholmane, Norway.  The TB Toranes was towing a barge when it suffered engine problems and had to drop anchor off Årabrotholmane. The tug requested assistance with the NSSR dispatching the lifeboats Horn Rescue (MMSI: 257641000) and RC Bergesen (MMSI: 257965590).  The Horn Rescue took the TB Toranes under tow and proceeded to Haugesund.  The RC Bergesen aided by the patrol boat KV Tor (IMO: 9353369) took the barge under tow to Haugesund.  There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Collision on the Rhine

Collision on the Rhine

De Zonnebloem
Photo: Presseportal.de

On the night of March 29, the 90 meter long self-propelled passenger ship De Zonnebloem (IMO: 8407644) collided with the 135 meter long self-propelled barge Servia (MMSI: 244185189) on the Rhine near Voerde, Germany.  The Servia‘s bow struck head-on with the De Zonnebloem resulting in heavy damage to the passenger ship.  The De Zonnebloem sustained a 20 meter² hole in the bow above the waterline while the Servia‘s bow sustained a significant dent.  Fortunately there were no injuries to the 134 passengers and 15 crew on the De Zonnebloem and no injuries on the Servia. There were no reports of pollution released.

Authorities dispatched both fire and police boats to escort the De Zonnebloem to Wesel where it was met by emergency personnel. Authorities detained the Servia and had it’s master under go a blood test for alcohol. Authorities have launched criminal proceedings while the investigation into the incident is ongoing.  Reports state the De Zonnebloem will be taken out of service for several months to undergo repairs.

Jinxing No 3

Jinxing No 3

Jinxing III
Photo: taiwannews.com.tw

On the afternoon of March 28, the passenger ferry Jinxing III ran aground in the Philippine Sea off Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor, Taiwan. The Jinxing III had departed from Lanyu with 55 passengers and eight crew members bound for Houbihu in Pingtung County when strong winds caused the vessel to run aground in shallow water off the coast.

The Taiwanese Coast Guard deployed two patrol boats to the assist. The patrol boats assisted by local fishing vessels safely evacuated all the passengers to shore. There were no reports of injuries. Reports state the Jinxing III was refloated and safely towed back to the Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor.  Authorities have not released the extent of damage or if any pollution was released from the incident.