On April 6, the 366 meter long, 145327 dwt container ship Umm Salal ran aground in the Malacca Strait off Port Klang, Malaysia. The boxship had departed Port Klang bound for Khor Fakkan when it grounded just off the fairway. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 40 meter long high speed catamaran ferry KAI Shiuan No. 3 ran aground in the Taiwan Straits off Taiwan. The ferry was en route from Penghu Island to Dongshi, Chiayi, Taiwan with 346 passengers when it suffered engine failure. The catamaran went adrift until it ran aground some 8 miles off Taiwan. The vessel sustained hull damage and suffered water ingress. The crew sent out a distress call with the Taiwan Coast Guard responding.
The Coast Guard dispatched four rescue boats to the scene assisted by another passenger ship. Rescuers evacuated all 346 passengers off the KAI Shiuan No. 3. No reports of injuries. Reports state the passengers were calm and there was no panic on board, but several passengers stated they were nervous. No further details reported on the status of the KAI Shiuan No. 3.
The tanker-barge RTC 150 being pushed by the 38 meter long, 195 dwt towboat Meredith C. Reinauer ran aground on the Hudson River near Catskill, New York. The tanker-barge, loaded with 2.5 million gallons of gasoline, had run onto the rocks some 30 feet from the navigation channel in 6 feet of water. No reports of injuries.
Local and state authorities along with the Coast Guard arrived on scene. While no signs of pollution being released, authorities decided that the cargo of gasoline should be lightered onto another tanker-barge before any attempts to refloat the RTC 150. The lighter operations were completed later the same day. The Coast Guard then inspected the RTC 15o for damage.
With no signs of damage and no pollution released, the RTC 150 was refloated. The barge was towed to Albany where it will undergo further inspection.
Reports state the cause of the grounding may be due to the foggy weather. However, the report also states the Meredith C. Reinauer was enabled with GPS navigation.
State authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
