On January 2, the 201.5 meter long, 35848 dwt container ship MSC Gianna III (IMO: 9152856) became disabled in the Çanakkale Strait off Kumkale, Turkey. The MSC Gianna III departed from Italy bound for Tekirdağ when it suffered machinery failure and went adrift.
Turkish authorities were alerted and dispatched the 496 gt tugboat Kurtarma 17 (IMO: 9942990) and 235 dwt tugboat Kurtarma 18 (IMO: 9974890) to assist. The tugs took the container ship under tow and proceeded to the Karanlık Liman Anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the afternoon of January 1, the fishing vessel Chant du Loup went aground in the English Channel just outside the harbor of Dieppe, France. The Chant du Loup had contacted the Gris-Nez Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS) that the fishing vessel had become disabled. The vessel’s propeller had been entangled with a net and was unable to maneuver.
The SNSM dispatched the 18 meter long lifeboat SNS 080 (MMSI: 227002990) to assist. While the lifeboat was headed to the Chant du Loup, a nearby fishing vessel came to their aid. The fishing vessel attached a towline and proceeded back to Dieppe. Approximately 15 kilometers off Dieppe, the towline parted and the Chant du Loup went adrift. The lifeboat was on scene and took over the tow of the Chant du Loup.
Photo: actu.fr
Photo: lemarin.ouest-france.fr
Photo: francebleu.fr
Photo: actu.fr
By evening, the lifeboat and the Chant du Loup had reached the entrance to the Dieppe when the towline parted again. Before another towline could be attached, the fishing vessel was driven onto the breakwater. The fishing vessel suffered hull damage and water ingress, but the area was to hazardous for other vessels to approach. The French Navy deployed a Dauphin helicopter which evacuated all 5 crew members off the Chant du Loup. Reports state the crew were given medical care once back on shore.
Reports state the Chant du Loup had partially sunk by the stern. The salvage of the vessel is now under the Seine-Maritime Maritime and Coastal Delegation.
On December 30, the 141 meter long, 7786 dwt tanker Kalbajar (IMO: 9821471) collided wit the 115 meter long, 6239 dwt tanker Alatepe (IMO: 9104873) in the Sea of Marmara at the Küçükçekmece anchorage off Florya, Turkey. Both tankers were anchored close to shore when strong winds caused the anchor of the Kalbajar to drag. The Kalbajar drifted towards the Alatepe until the two vessels collided. While the collision did not result in damage or any pollution released, the Kalbajar’s anchor chain became tangled in the propeller of the Alatepe.
Authorities were alerted who dispatched tugboats and a response team to the scene. The tugs stood by as the Kalbajar was able to restart the vessel’s engine, untangle the anchor chain and proceeded under its own power to deeper water where it drop anchor in a safer location. Unfortunately, the Alatepe would run aground during the incident. The following day divers conducted an underwater inspection of the hull and begin operations to refloat the tanker.
Photo: denizgundem.com
Authorities report the Kalbajar was in ballast while the Alatepe had some 2,500 tons of chemicals on board. There were no reports of injuries to the 14 crew on the Kalbajar and no injuries to the 17 on the Alatepe.
