On April 9, the barge Tofa Arif 4 sank on the Hooghly River near Kulpi, West Bengal, India. The barge was returning to Bangladesh after loading fly ash at Kolaghat when it was caught in a storm. The crew anchored the barge to ride out the storm, but another vessel collided with it and its anchor line parted. The barge went adrift and the vessel sustained water ingress. The Tofa Arif 4 continued to drift until it became stuck on a sandbar. The Tofa Arif 4 later sank on the high tide. All eight crew members were rescued and placed in quarantine (covid-19 protocols). No reports of injuries. Authorities have reported concerns the fly ash pollution has been released into the river.
A barge allided and sunk on the Muriganga River near Kachubaria Ghat. The barge had struck a high-voltage power tower resulting in hull damage and water ingress. The 10 crew on board were safely rescued from a rescue boat from Swamiji Sangha. The barge would partially sink adjacent to the tower. No reports of injuries.
On April 6, the 118 meter long, 10,110 dwt bulk carrier CSL Elbe allided with the pier at Stade-Bützfleth, Germany. The bulk carrier had arrived from Rafnes and was attempting to maneuver to its berth when the port-side stern struck the pier. The bulk carrier along with the pier sustained damage. The water police launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state there was a pilot on board and tugs were assisting at the bow and stern. The CSL Elbe was allowed to depart the port bound for Jossingfjord on April 8th. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 366 meter long, 146,931 dwt container ship Milano Bridge allided with a quay at Busan, South Korea. The boxship had arrived from Shanghai and was maneuvering to a berth at the north terminal when the port hull collided with the quay and several container cranes. One crane (designated as no. 85) was struck hard enough to cause it to collapse. The crane operator on board was able to jump free while still 30 feet in the air. He sustained minor injuries and was later taken to hospital.
Another crane (no. 81) suffered major damage, but didn’t collapse. Crane (no. 84) was pushed off its tracks and Cranes (no. 82 and 83) did not suffered any major damage. The Milano Bridge also sustained damage to its bridge, port side hull, railings and deck plating buckled. Parts of the crane (no. 85) fell onto the vessel while other portions fell into the water. No reports of pollution released. Reports state it may take up to 18 months to replace gantry crane (no. 85) and 5 months for Crane (no. 84) to be repaired. Busan Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
Timeline:
14:37: Commenced Starboard turn, STBD 20 Helm, Dead Slow Ahead, Speed: 9.3 Knots
14:39: Stopped engine, Speed: 7.6 Knots
14:40: Pilot appeared panicked, Speed 7.6 Knots, Dead slow ahead Starboard 20 helm.
14:42: Pilot realizes heavy drift to port, panicked, full ahead engine, hard Starboard helm, concerned to avoid three (3) moored vessels. AFT Tug continuously pulling.
14:44: Cleared 1st moored vessel, drifting towards 2nd moored vessel, Navigation full ahead, Starboard 20 helm, drifting further towards berth. FWD tug’s action not known as pilot speaking in local language. Master used BT.
14:47: Cleared 2nd moored vessel, random orders on ME and rudder, stern drifting towards port side, Speed 6 Knots. 14:47: Cleared lesser beamed 3rd moored vessel.
14:49: Made hard contact with Gantry no.85 , fully collapsed on stern of ONE vessel. ME Nav full ahead, speed. 5.2 Knots. FWD tug not pulling.
14:50: Emergency full stern to prevent contact with moored vessel ahead.
14:52: Hard contact with Gantry crane no. 81 by bridge wing, which was working on the moored container vessel ahead followed by slight contact with the moored vessel around Bay 02 & 06.
