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Category: Grounding

MN Kostas

MN Kostas

MN Kostas
Photo: Greek Coast Guard

On the night of July 24, the 105 meter long, 5813 dwt cargo vessel MN Kostas (IMO: 9103489) ran aground in the Mediterranean Sea off the northeastern tip of Crete, Greece.  The MN Kostas departed from Sitia, Crete bound for Chekka, Lebanon, with a cargo of plaster when it ran aground on a reef some 6 nautical miles off Sitia. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress.

 

The Greek Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched 3 patrol boats to the scene. Assisted by nearby fishing and private vessels , all 14 crew members were safely evacuated and taken to Sitia. No reports of injuries. Four tugboats were dispatched from Heraklion to start salvage operations. Divers inspected the MN Kostas hull for damage. Authorities are monitoring the area for any signs of pollution released.
Reports state the Sitia Port Authority has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have arrested the master and the acting bridge officer under the Greek Penal Code for causing a shipwreck. The MS Kostas had prior legal issues a few months prior. The owners of the cargo vessel were cited for only paying the crew half their wages over the last several months.
Barges Aground Off Batangas

Barges Aground Off Batangas

Barges off Batangas
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On July 19, the barges Amazon River, EE Margarette and Yangtze River went aground in Balayan Bay along the shoreline near Calaca City, Batangas, Philippines.  The barges Amazon River, loaded with 1567 mt of molasses, and Yangtze River, loaded with 1462 mt of molasses, were under tow by the tug Robina I bound for Balayan. Nearby, the barge EE Margarette, loaded with 1772 mt of molasses, was being towed by the tug Robina II was also bound for Balayan. The vessels had to divert due to rough seas from Tropical Storm Crising and shelter in the bay. The winds from the tropical storm was strong enough to snap the mooring lines to the barges resulting in all three barges washing ashore. The barge Amazon River and EE Margarette collided during the incident resulting in hull damage to the EE Margarette.

The Philippine Coast Guard  stated that all 21 crew onboard the vessels were safe. Authorities stated that some of the molasses cargo from the EE Margarette was released into sea. The coast guard stated the cargo was considered non-hazardous and would dissipate in the sea. Local officials stated salvage and the removal of the barges will be done as soon as conditions improved.

 

 

MF Axel

MF Axel

MF Axel
Photo: bonniernews.se

On the afternoon of July 19, the 18 meter long, 29 gt passenger ship MF Axel (MMSI: 265632000) ran aground in the Baltic Sea in the Karlskrona archipelago off Ramsö, Sweden. The MF Axel was proceeding with 87 passengers when it grounded in shallow water in the narrow Sjuhallasundet Strait. The passenger ship remained firmly aground on the sandy bottom just 100 meters from the shore and was unable to free itself. The Swedish Coast Guard and Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) was called out to assist and arrived a short time later. Rescuers began an evacuation of all the passengers off the MF Axel. During the evacuation, the MF Axel was lightened enough it floated free. However, not until all passengers were transferred off the passenger ship, the MF Axel was allowed to proceed under its own power back to Karlskrona. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Authorities launched an investigation into the incident. The Coast Guard questioned the crew and checks for alcohol were negative. An initial report stated the incident was at no fault of the vessel or the crew. The iron hulled MF Axel was built in 1934 and operates between Fisktorget in Karlskrona and Nättraby.