The 22 meter long tugboat Sea Cypress ran aground the early morning hours of July 24. The tugboat had broken free from its mooring and it’s propeller became entangled. Disabled and near the shoreline, the Sea Cypress drifted until it ran up on a sandbar near Lavallette, New Jersey. The Sea Cypress remained aground until the afternoon. With the rising tide, two tugs were able to pull the Sea Cypress free. No reports of injuries to the four crew, damage or pollution released.
On July 23, the 139 meter long, 6890 dwt car carrier Makassar Highway ran aground in the Baltic Sea near Vastervik, Sweden. The Makassar Highway was headed for Södertälje from Cuxhaven with 1325 vehicles on board when it ran aground at full speed into shallow water. The Makassar Highway went hard aground with enough force that the bow was nearly out of the water. A small amount of hydrolic oil leaked from the bow thruster. The Swedish Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. Coast Guard vessels placed a boom around the hull to contain any further pollution released.
An initial investigation found the crewman at the helm at the time of the incident was intoxicated. He did not change course and allowed the car carrier to steer straight into shallow water. Swedish authorities report that the crewman was arrested for gross negligence.
Divers were dispatched to inspect the Makassar Highway for damage. The Coast Guard and Swedish authorities are in discussion with the vessel’s owner to develop a salvage plan.
On July 22, the 80 meter long self-propelled barge Katarina ran aground on the Danube near Straubing, Germany. The Katarina, loaded with 350 tons of sunflower seeds, was en route to Regensburg when it ran aground on a gravel bank in shallow water. River currents swung the barge around leaving it perpendicular to the river. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. A dredger was dispatched to the scene the next day to release the Katarina. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.