On August 9, the 122 meter long, 6809 gt tanker-barge Norman McLeod went aground on the St. Lawrence River near Sorel, Quebec. The tanker-barge had been at anchor when the anchor chain broke. The barge drifted away and grounded nearby. Tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the tanker-barge a short time later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 73 meter long self-propelled barge Emri ran aground on the Bol near Breskens, Netherlands. The Emri had departed from Terneuzen with a cargo of sands when it touched bottom. The crew was unable to refloat the vessel and requested assistance. Two tugs along with a KNRM lifeboat arrived on scene and assisted in pulling the Emri free an hour later. The Emri was escorted back to Terneuzen to be inspected. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On August 11, the 56 foot long fishing vessel Pacific Quest ran aground in Monterey Bay near Santa Cruz in the Natural Bridges State Park, California. The vessel had run ashore during the earlier morning hours at low tide. The captain who was the sole person on board abandoned ship and walk up the beach to safety. The captain had alerted the Coast Guard and attempting to arrange a tug to pull the Pacific Quest free.
An inspection found the fishing vessel had sustained too much hull damage and could not be pulled off the beach. The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation as the vessel owners have arranged to remove the fuel off the vessel.
Reports state the Pacific Quest has partially broken up on the beach. The Pacific Quest had some 1200 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the incident. Authorities state some 200 gallons of diesel is known to leak out onto the beach and into the water.
