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Category: Fire

Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream

Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream

Norwegian Dream
1999 Collision

On August 24, 1999, the 230 meter long, 6731 dwt passenger cruise ship Norwegian Dream collided with the 294 meter long, 55527 dwt container ship Ever Decent in the English Channel.  Around 1:15 a.m., the Norwegian Dream was en route to Dover, England from Zeebrugge, Belgium  with 2,400 passengers when it struck the Ever Decent four miles southeast of the Falls Head Buoy.  Passengers awoke hearing a loud bang and cruise ship shaking violently.

Norwegian Dream
Some passengers remarked they were worried the vessel sank like the 1997 Titanic movie

Frighten the passengers were mustered up on deck and told to put on life jackets.  The crew inspected the vessel for damage and found a large section of the bow was crushed or had been torn away.  On the deck the crew found 5 containers from the Ever Decent on the cruise ship’s deck.  The containers held cyanide, but luckily they did not rupture.  While severely damaged, the Norwegian Dream remained afloat and was able to reach Dover under its own power. Some 21 passengers suffered minor injuries.

Ever Decent
Photo: Ever Decent

The Ever Decent had sustained heavy damage from the collision. Several containers carrying paint on board had caught fire and multiple ballast tanks had been ruptured causing the vessel to develop a 40 degree list. Fire fighting tugs, RNLI lifeboats and Coast Guard vessels were later able to extinguish the blaze, but it required efforts from Dutch and UK fire fighters efforts over several days. Later, the disabled container ship was towed to Zeebrugge.

Both vessels were later repaired and went back into service.

Glory Pacific No. 8

Glory Pacific No. 8

Glory Pacific No. 8

The 1163 dwt fishing vessel Glory Pacific No. 8 caught fire near the atoll of Tokelau, New Zealand.  The fire started in the engine room quickly disabling the fishing vessel. The crew activated the ERIPB emergency beacon alerting authorities.  New Zealand authorities directed another fishing vessel, Lomalo, to the scene.  All 36 crew from the Glory Pacific No. 8 were safely evacuated.  The crew was assisted by New Zealand and US Coast Guard efforts. Reports state the owners of the Glory Pacific No. 8 were making salvage arrangements.

Stena Germanica

Stena Germanica

STENA GERMANICA

On October 22, 240 meter long, 10670 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Stena Germanica caught fire in the Kattegat near Anholt, Denmark. The fire started in a camper on the vehicle deck while  en route to Kiel from Gothenburg with 700 passengers on board. The crew assembled the passengers on deck and alerted authorities that a fire had broken out on the vessel.  A team of fire fighters were about to be flown to the Stena Germanica when the crew was able to the extinguish the blaze. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Stena Germanica continued on with its voyage and arrived in Kiel.