The 95 meter long, 5151 dwt freighter Ocean Glory sank off Keelung, Taiwan. The Ocean Glory left Keelung bound for Hualien with a cargo of gravel in bad weather. The vessel sent out a distress call shortly after leaving port before it capsized and sank. The Taiwan Coast Guard dispatched rescuers to the scene and found 13 of the 15 crewmen. They were taken to hospital, but six men were declared dead on arrival. The remaining two crewmen including the master of the Ocean Glory were reported as missing. Authorities believe the freighter sank after striking an object in the rough seas. No further details reported.
The fishing vessel Easy Rider capsized and sank in the Foveaux Strait near Stewart Island, New Zealand. The vessel with three crew and six passengers was proceeding through the strait in bad weather with heavy rain and four meter swells when it was struck by a rogue wave and capsized. The three men on deck were thrown into the water while the rest were trapped inside the wheelhouse. One man was able to hold onto the vessel and climb onto the overturn hull. For several hours he held on before the Easy Rider sank. Thrown back into the water, he was able to grab a hold of a floating petrol can. When the Easy Rider failed to arrive on Stewart Island at the expected time, the alarm was sent out and rescue boats and helicopters were dispatched to the scene. The sole survivor was found when got the attention of a coast guard vessel some 16 hours since grabbing a hold of the petrol can. He was taken to hospital later and was treated for hypothermia. Reports state the vessel was found resting at 40 meters. Rescuers also recovered four bodies during the search.
The 132 meter long ro-roferryHerald of Free Enterprise departed from Zeebrugge bound for Dover on March 6, 1987. The ferry loaded with 459 passengers, 80 crew and 131 vehicles suddenly capsized and sank under five minutes later. The ferry had lost stability and rolled over to port in shallow water. The water had rushed in as the watertight door in the bow was open allowing water to rush down the length of the vessel. The water quickly flooded the vessel disabling the electrical systems. Passengers and crew trapped inside were thrown into darkness in frigid water.
A nearby dredger saw the lights of the ferry disappeared and contacted the authorities. The Belgian Navy was nearby and soon rescue helicopters were on the scene. While many were rescued, many perished due to hypothermia before they could be rescued. When search and rescue efforts ended, there were 193 people who perished on board the vessel.
The Herald of Free Enterprise was salvaged in April 1987 and taken to Flushing. The vessel was sold for scrap and towed to Taiwan in 1988.
The cause of the sinking was investigated and revealed several causes that lead to the sinking.
The Master of the vessel was unable to see if the bow doors were closed from the bridge (due to the ship’s design) and there was no indicator light
The assistant boatswain who is responsible for closing the door was asleep at his bunk at the time of the accident
The first mate had left the deck early to go to the bridge assuming the assistant boatswain would close the doors
The last crewman who saw the doors open did not close the door before the vessel left
The vessel’s speed in shallow water increased the flooding into the vessel
The vessel’s ballast tanks in the bow resulted in an irregular trim
