The Unknown List

The Unknown List

There are many shipwrecks and maritime accidents which have not been included on shipwreck databases. When the vessel name is unknown or was not included in reports, the incident is typically not included in maritime accident databases.

For those incidents, we are tracking them here and plan to include as many details as feasible. This should include the location, type of vessel and details on the incident.

DateWaterwayLocationCountryIncident TypeVessel DetailsDescription
2024-11-24Rhine RiverNeuwiedGermanyCollisionSelf-propelled tanker-bargesDuring the early morning hours of November 24, two self-propelled tanker barges collided on the Rhine near Neuwied at the 608 kilometer mark. The vessels collided during a port-to-port passing. Reports state there was minor damage to both vessels but there were no injuries or water ingress. Reports state one vessel had 1569 tons of gasoline in its tanks which were undamaged from the incident. The incident is under investigation.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/117719/5915963
2024-11-24North SeaAberdeenScotlandCollisionSupply VesselReports state a supply vessel struck the jackup rig Valaris 120 on the North Sea some 150 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland. No details to the extent of damage to either rig or supply vessel. Some 52 non-essential personnel were flown off the rig. No reports of injuries.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg579njg373o
2024-11-22Indian OceanGoaIndiaCollisionFishing VesselA fishing vessel collided with an Indian Navy submarine some 70 nautical miles off Goa. Report states 11 of the 13 crew of the fishing vessel were rescued.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goa/fishing-vessel-collides-with-naval-platform-off-goa-coast-11-rescued/article68897173.ece
2024-11-20Lake HuronStokes BayOntarioSankFishing VesselReports state the vessel partially sank while moored at a dock in Stokes Bay, Ontario. The Canadian Coast Guard placed booms around the vessel and removed some 5,500 litres of oily water. Absorbent pads and equipment were used to remove pollution. Reports state the vessel was later refloated
https://www.owensoundcurrent.com/p/fishing-boat-sinks-at-stokes-bay
2024-11-18Atlantic OceanLuandaAngolaSankPassenger ShipA passenger ship sank 3 kilometers off the coast of Angola while participating in a Catholic maritime procession.Reports state six people were killed, 17 rescued and 3 are still reported as missing from the incident. Authorities state the indicident was due to bad weather and negligence as the vessel was overloaded and sailed into strong waves.
https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/incidents/accidents/six-dead-at-least-three-missing-after-passenger-boat-sinks-near-angolas-capital
2024-11-17Seto Inland SeaYamaguchiJapanCollisionTugboatAround 5:45 a.m., a pleasure boat collided with a 16 meter long, 19-ton tugboat off Yamaguchi Prefecture in dense fog. Three people on board the pleasure boat perished. One person from the pleasure boat who was recovered from the water only suffered minor injuries.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/11/fa6dbcac5ee6-man-killed-as-tugboat-pleasure-boat-collide-in-western-japan.html
2024-11-15Rhine RiverStockstadt am RheinGermanyGroundingSelf-propelled tanker-bargePolice report states the tanker had grounded on a sandbank around 0:15 AM due to carelessness. The tanker remained aground until the afternoon when other vessels were able to pull the tanker free. No injuries or damage reported.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/43615/5909901
2024-11-12MainRaunheimGermanyCollisionSelf-propelled tanker-barge / Self-propelled bargeReport states around 6:20 pm, the tanker collided head-on with the inland barge near Raunheim. Both vessels sustained bow damage with the inland barge had a hole above the waterline. Neither vessel had cargo and no pollution was released.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/43615/5907345
2024-11-08Main RiverEddersheim Lock (kilometer 15.600)GermanyAllisionSelf-propelled tanker-bargeVessel travelling in ballast entered the north Eddersheim lock when it suffered main engine failure when attempting to reverse too abruptly. The vessel struck the lock gate which sustained considerable material damage, but the vessel was undamaged. The lock will be taken out of service. https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/43615/5904792
2024-10-30Main RiverMühlheim am Main lockGermanyDamagedSelf-propelled bargeBarge damaged by an anchor had broken off that damage the hull and allowed water ingress. Local fire department kept the vessel afloat. Divers were called to repair the damage and traffic on the lock was halted with 15 vessels queued.
https://osthessen-news.de/n11755102/havariertes-schiff-blockiert-schleuse-auf-dem-main.html
2024-10-27Rhine RiverOsetrich-Winkel (kilometer 418)GermanyGroundingSelf-propelled tanker-bargeVessel with a cargo of 1500 tons of Xylene Ortho was proceeding upstream from Rotterdam to Ludwigshafen when it suffered rudder failure. While assisted by another tanker, the vessel ran aground on its starboard side of the hull. A tug from Trechtigungshausen freed the vessel after several attemps. No injuries or pollution released. https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/43615/5897122
2024-09-18Fulda RiverKasselGermanyDamagedSelf-propelled bargeReports state a 35 meter long vessel had sprung a leak in Kassel harbor. The local fire brigade put a submersible pump to control the water ingress. Oil pollution had been released and the fire fighters placed an oil barrier to contain the pollution. The cause of the leak and damage to the vessel was not known at the time of the report.
https://www.zeit.de/news/2024-09/18/binnenschiff-schlaegt-leck-feuerwehr-verhindert-sinken
2024-08-03Rhine RiverMainzGermanyDamagedSelf-propelled tanker-bargeA tanker loaded with 1,650 tons of nitric acid dropped anchor near the DLRG station at Mainz when the master noticed water ingress between the outer hull and inner tanks. Local fire brigade arrived on scene and deployed dewatering pumps. This stabilized the vessel so it can unload its cargo to another tanker so it can be repaired.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/171463/5836637
2024-07-23HunteOldenburg/ElsflethGermanyAllisionSelf-propelled tanker-bargeA tanker allided with the replacement Elsfleth railway bridge resulting the rail traffic being suspended. Water police report the vessel's master had misjudged the clearance height as the cause of the incident.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/119277/5829657
2024-06-18Rhine RiverCologne (kilometer 699.5)GermanyCollisionSelf-propelled tanker-barge / Passenger ShipAround 3:15 am, a passenger ship travelling from Nijmegen to Cologne with 172 passengers and 42 crew collided head on with a empty tanker that was proceeding towards Gelsenkirchen from Niehl. Both vessels sustained material damage, but no persons on either vessel were injured. The water police are investigating the incident.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/12415/5804267
2024-05-21MoselleCochem (kilometer 51,200)GermanyAllisionSelf-propelled tanker-bargeAround 7:22 pm, a tanker loaded with 2000 tons of gasoline allided with the old Moselle bridge in Cochem. The tanker was proceeding upstream when it encountered a barge proceeding downstream when the master of the tanker made a navigation error and struck the bridge.The tanker wheelhouse sustained significant damage, but the other cargo vessel was unharmed. The master of the tanker was slighly injured in the incident. Traffic was not halted on the bridge.
https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/117719/5784901