On September 26, the ro-ro passenger and cargo ferry Sabuk Nusantara 35 ran aground off Singkil, Sumatra, Indonesia. The Sabuk Nusantara 35 had departed from Singkil bound for Banjak Islands when it suffered engine failure. Without power the Sabuk Nusantara 35 drifted off course and stranded just 200 meters off the shoreline. No reports of injuries to the 12 passengers and 20 crew on board. Passengers were later evacuated back to the port.
The 98 meter long, 6532 dwt cargo vessel Hao Xiang 19 capsized and sank in the East China Sea off Luxi Island near Wenzhou, China. The Hao Xiang 19 was headed to Wenzhou from Taizhou with a cargo of steel when it ran aground up on a reef off Luxi Island. The vessel sustained hull damage causing water ingress. Unable to control the flooding, the crew sent out a distress call to authorities. A search and rescue vessel was dispatched to the scene. As the vessel continued to fill with water, the Hao Xiang 19 developed a severe list to starboard. Two crew were able launch the vessel’s life raft, but the list prevented launching lifeboats from the starboard side.
A rescue boat arrived on scene and rescued 11 crew off the Hao Xiang 19 along with the 2 crew from the life raft. No reports of injuries. Reports state the Hao Xiang 19 eventually capsized and sank.
The 44 meter long, 661 dwt towboat Defiance and the 186 meter long, 42,800 dwt barge Ashtabula ran aground in the Straits of Mackinaw in the Round Island Passage between Mackinac Island and Round Island, Michigan. The vessels departed from Cedarville bound for Buffington, Indiana when the vessels had run aground and became stuck on the clay bottom. The vessels remained stuck for several hours until currents pulled the tug/barge vessels free.
The Coast Guard conducted a flyover the vessels and found no pollution had been released. The vessels proceeded to an anchorage after the grounding. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.