The 90 meter long cargo vessel Hua Chun 19 capsized and sank in the Yellow Sea off Qingdao, China. The Hua Chun 19 had departed from Qingdao with 4000 tons of steel bound for Guangdong. Some 70 miles from Qingdao, the vessel suffered a cargo shift causing the vessel to capsize and sink in just a few minutes. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation and pulled 5 survivors from the water. All had suffered hypothermia and were taken to hospital. Authorities also pulled 2 bodies of crewmen who had drowned. Four additional men were still reported missing. An oil sheen was spotted near the sinking. Authorities dispatched a pollution control vessel to the scene.
The 120 meter long, 3716 dwt ro-ropassenger ferry Wihan Sejahtera capsized and sank in Lamong Bay just outside the terminal at Surabaya, Indonesia. The Wihan Sejahtera had departed with over 200 passengers and crew bound for Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara when it struck some submerged object. The ferry had suffered some hull damage with water ingress and had a developed a list to starboard.
https://youtu.be/yVvSJOMOABA
The Wihan Sejahtera decided to turn back and head back to port. As the ferry headed back, the list increased as the cargo of vehicles shifted. Passengers and crew climbed over the listing hull and jumped into the sea while others clung to the port hull awaiting rescue.
Photo: tribunnews.com
Reports state some 163 passengers and 29 crew were rescued as nearby fishing vessels, patrol boats and tugs arrived quickly on scene. Over 25 persons were taken to hospital with several having severe injuries. The wihan Sejahtera eventually rolled over and sank in 16 meters of water. Authorities have continued search and rescue operations and will send divers into the overturn hull. Reports state the vessel was overloaded as the official number on board was listed as 153 persons.
The 20 meter long passenger vessel Leviathan II capsized and sank off Plover Reefs, Vargas Island near Tofino, British Columbia. The Leviathan II had 27 persons on board on a whale watching tour when it capsized and partially sank. The master of the vessel was able to send out a distress call. Several nearby vessels responded while the Coast Guard began a search and rescue operation. Reports state 23 of 27 persons were accounted with 4 still reported missing. Four persons pulled from the water perished. Many of those rescued were being treated in nearby hospitals and private homes.
Photo: Jamie’s Whaling Station
Canadian authorities have dispatched an investigation team to the area. The cause of the capsizing has not been reported.
