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Category: Grounding

BBC Lagos

BBC Lagos

BBC Lagos
Photo: Swedish Coast Guard

On August 3, the 130 meter long, 7960 dwt cargo vessel BBC Lagos ran aground in the Øresund Strait near Helsingborg, Sweden. The BBC Lagos was en route to Las Palmas from Klaipeda with a cargo of 5000 tons of wheat. As the vessel approached the Øresund Strait, authorities attempted to contact the vessel as radar showed the vessel was proceeding off course.  Multiple attempts to contact the vessel over radio also failed before the cargo vessel ran up on a sandbar some 500 meters from the shoreline.  Authorities boarded the vessel and found the master of the BBC Lagos intoxicated.  

A dive survey was requested and found the BBC Lagos had not sustained any hull damage and no pollution had been released.  The following day, tugs were able to refloat the BBC Lagos and proceeded to Helsingborg.  The incident is being investigated by Swedish authorities.  

 

Somtrans XXVI

Somtrans XXVI

Somtrans XXVI
photo: wz.de

The 135 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Somtrans XXVI ran aground on the Rhine near Dormagen, Germany.  The tanker was underway with 1800 tons of chemicals on board when it struck a sandbank while close to the riverbank.  The tanker-barge damaged its bow thruster, but the hull remained intact and no pollution was released.  A sister ship to the Somtrans XXVI was nearby and pulled the Somtrans XXVI free.  Reports state the vessel made repairs in Dormagen and proceeded on its voyage to Amsterdam.  

Helena

Helena

Helena
Photo: NSSR

On July 29, the 30 meter long passenger 2-masted sailing ship Helena ran aground off Kjeholmen, Norway. The vessel was on a charter voyage with 123 passengers when it ran aground onto the rocks. Reports state the master of the Helena thought the water was deeper than it was actually.  There was no panic on board and the vessel suffered minimal damage as it was proceeding at a slow speed. The vessel contacted the NSSR who dispatched a lifeboat to the scene.  Half a hour later, the lifeboat pulled the Helena free.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.