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Category: Grounding

Fastnet

Fastnet

Fastnet
Photo: thesun.ie

On the morning of December 14, the 28 meter long, 345 gt  fishing vessel Fastnet (IMO: 9244465) ran aground in the Dingle Bay near Binn Bán beach outside of outside Cuan an Daingin, County Kerry, Ireland. The Fastnet had departed from Dingle Harbour in poor conditions with heavy seas when it suffered engine failure. The trawler went adrift and sent out a distress call.  Irish Coast Guard responded by dispatching a fixed wing aircraft along with a rescue helicopter while the RNLI launched the 17 meter long lifeboat John and Margaret Doig (MMSI: 232002460)  from the Valentia Island.

The RNLI lifeboat assisted by local boats arrived on scene.  The vessels attempted to connect a towline to the trawler, but were unsuccessful. Before any further attempts to save the Fastnet could be made, the trawler was blown ashore onto the rocks. Unconfirmed reports state the trawler sustained hull damage and potentially to the fuel tanks.

A rescue helicopter would later safely hoist all 14 crew off the Fastnet.  The crew were taken ashore and were evaluated for injuries by emergency personnel. Authorities have initiated an environmental response plan to the incident. Salvage teams have been engaged to mitigate diesel fuel released. The extent of damage and the amount of pollution released has not been disclosed.

Hua De 858

Hua De 858

Hua De 858
Photo: imarine.cn

On the night of December 3, the 97 meter long, 5,035 dwt  cargo vessel Hua De 858 (MMSI: 413201510) broke-in-two in Xinghua Bay off the coast of Fuzhou, China. The Hua De 858 departed on November 28 with a full load of cargo bound to Haikou from Fuzhou. As the cargo vessel passed  between Xiaori Island and Daheyu Island, the Hua De 858 struck bottom on a shoal.  The grounding resulted in structural failure to the hull broken apart amidships.  Chinese authorities were alerted and deployed a rescue team to the scene.  All 12 crew on board the vessel would be safely evacuated and transported to shore.  No reports of injuries.

Hua De 858
Photo: soho.com

Authorities have broadcasted an advisory for vessels to keep distance from the Hua De 858.  An investigation into the incident and structural failure is ongoing. Reports state the Hua De 858 was launched in 2008.

 

Aegir

Aegir

Aegir
Photo: stern.de

On the afternoon of December 6, the 21 meter long passenger ship Aegir (MMSI: 211237980) had run aground in the Wadden Sea off the eastern tip of the island of Juist, Germany. The Aegir was passing between the islands of Juist and Norderney when a strong southerly wind and a strong ebb tide caused the vessel to drift out of the navigation channel. The passenger vessel would end up on a sandbank some 100 meters off Juist. Unable to free itself on the low tide, the vessel requested assistance . The DGzRS dispatched 3 lifeboats to assist.  The 10 meter long lifeboat Wilma Sikorski (MMSI: 211290150) was able to reach the Aegir which safely transferred 7 passengers and 1 crew to the 20 meter long lifeboat Eugen (MMSI: 211405020).  Several attempts to free the Aegir failed to pull the passenger ship off the sandbank.  Not until the rising tide was the Aegir able to free itself.  The lifeboat Eugen escorted the Aegir to Norddeich.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.