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Category: Grounding

Royal Evolution

Royal Evolution

Royal Evolution
Photo: Deeperblue.com

On October 24, the 40 meter long passenger ship Royal Evolution (IMO: 9391191) ran aground in the Red Sea on Adu Dabab Four Reef.  Reports state the vessel’s keel struck the reef and went firmly aground. The passengers and crew remained on board initially as conditions were calm and the vessel was in no danger of sinking.  However, as the tide ebbed, the passengers were safely evacuated and taken ashore.  No reports of injuries.

Reports state the Royal Evolution suffered hull damage with fuel tanks ruptured. Diesel fuel had leaked into the lower decks of the vessel.  Initial attempts to pull the Royal Evolution off the reef failed. The Royal Evolution would remain on the reef for several days before it was refloated on the morning of October 27.  The Royal Evolution would proceed to Port Safaga for repairs.

Egyptian authorities did not disclose if any diesel fuel pollution had been released into the sea. No details if the reef sustained damage from the grounding.

Tokaj 1

Tokaj 1

Tokaj 1
Photo: swr.de

On the morning of October 25,  the  77 meter long self-propelled barge Tokaj 1 ran aground on the Moselle River near Koblenz, Germany. The Tokaj 1 departed from Frankfurt with a cargo of 980 tons of talc when it attempted to maneuver and struck the river bank with its bow. The bow hull sustained a 20 cm hole allowing uncontrolled water ingress.

The Tokaj 1 was able to proceed to a nearby pier where it moored. The Koblenz Fire brigade was alerted and proceeded to the scene. Fire fighters brought pumps to dewater the vessel. Divers could not make repairs due to the strong current.

Authorities have stated another vessel will be used to lighter the cargo off the Tokaj 1 then repairs can be made to the bow. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

The El Atracadero To Go

The El Atracadero To Go

El Atracadero
Photo: mexiconewsdaily.com

On October 10, the floating seafood restaurant El Atracadero was swept away from its moorings on the Tuxpan River at Tuxpan, Mexico. The water level on the river had swelled and overflowed its banks caused from the heavy rains from Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond. The El Atracadero continued to drift down the river and eventually made its way into the Gulf of Mexico and was presumed lost.

The 46-year old restaurant would drift southward in the gulf when it at some point the building split apart.  One section that contained the kitchen and bathroom was found near the port of Alvarado some 200 kilometers away from Tuxpan.

The other section containing the dining room was spotted 1 kilometer off the shore of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. The dining room had travelled some 570 kilometers before it eventually beached at Playa El Tesoro.

Mexican Navy has secured both sections of the restaurant to avoid any risk to navigation in the area. Reports state there was no one inside the El Atracadero during the incident. The El Atracadero started in 1979 and known to both locals and tourists for its cuisine.