On the morning of March 19, the 80 meter long self-propelled barge Lavoro (MMSI: 244850073) became disabled on the Western Scheldt east of Terneuzen, Netherlands. Reports state the Lavoro suffered engine problems and went adrift. The 135 meter long self-propelled container barge Salamanca (MMSI: 244821242) was nearby and secured the Lavoro. The 32.5 meter long tugboat Multratug 28 (IMO: 9727962) arrived a short time later and took the Lavoro under tow to Hansweert. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank. Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.
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On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.
Gary M recovered in 2024. Photo: Brucepeninsulapress.com
Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year. On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.
On March 19, the 94.5 meter long, 4237 dwt cargo vessel Bers (IMO: 9044188) became disabled on the Bosphorus near Istanbul, Turkey. The Bers was en route from Iskenderun to Constanta when it suffered engine failure and went adrift. Authorities dispatched the tugboat Kurtarma 11 to assist. The tug took the Bers under tow and proceeded and to Ahırkapı where the cargo vessel dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
