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Author: Paul Hancock

USS New Orleans

USS New Orleans

USS New Orleans
Photo: Japan Coast Guard

On the evening of August 20, the USS New Orleans caught fire in the South China Sea off Okinawa, Japan. The USS New Orleans was at anchor when a fire broke out on the the vessel.  The amphibious transport dock ship requested assistance with the Japanese Coast Guard responding. United States Navy reports that it took 12 hours by the combine efforts before the fire was eventually extinguished.  Two sailors on the USS New Orleans sustained minor injuries. The Navy has launched an investigation into the incident.  The cause of and extent of damage by the fire was not disclosed. No pollution was released.

USS New Orleans
Photo: Japan Coast Guard
Ciudad de Medellín

Ciudad de Medellín

Ciudad de Medellín
Photo: facebook

On the morning of August 17, the 19 meter long towboat Ciudad de Medellín (MMSI: 627214286) allided on the Magdalena River at Barrancabermeja, Colombia. The Ciudad de Medellín was proceeding on the river when it struck one of the piers of the Guillermo Gaviria Bridge. The impact caused the part of the pilothouse to be torn off.  The strong current caused the towboat to take on water resulting in the vessel listing over on its starboard hull.  The Ciudad de Medellín would later partially sink.

Reports state that several crew members jumped into the river and swam to rescue boats. Local citizens attempted to aid the crew by throwing life jackets to them. News accounts do not state if any crew members were injured or not during the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Witnesses have stated the water levels on the river was high due to heavy rains. There is some speculation that the towboat had steered out of the navigation channel before striking the bridge. Reports state that engineers are inspecting the bridge for damage while traffic continues to proceed over the bridge.

Nordstjernen

Nordstjernen

Nordstjernen
Photo: bluewin.ch

On the evening of August 19, the 80 meter long passenger ship Nordstjernen (IMO: 5255777) ran aground on the Warnow River at Warnemünde, Germany.  The Nordstjernen had been reversing out of its berth in Warnemünde when it suffered a mechanical malfunction. The passenger ship’s engine failed to respond to move forward and crashed into the embankment on the opposite side of the river and went aground. The crew was able to resolve the malfunction and proceeded under its own power back to is berth Warnemünde.

Nordstjernen
Photo: ostsee-zeitung.de

Authorities detained the Nordstjernen from further sailings and launched an investigation into the incident.  The tug Fairplay 55 (IMO: 9021124) took the Nordstjernen under tow to Rostock where it was inspected for damage and a technical safety survey before the vessel can continue on its voyage.  Initial reports state the malfunction was caused by the pneumatic control of the controllable-pitch propeller. No reports of injuries to 31 passengers on board  or pollution released.