The 40 meter long, 150 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Karlsøy ran aground along the southern tip of Vangsøy Island, Norway. The Karlsøy was en route to Belvika with 6 passengers when it veered off course and ran ashore. No reports of injuries. The ferry was refloated a few hours later and proceeded to Belvika. The Karlsøy then proceeded on to Tromsø for further surveys and repairs. No reports of pollution released. The cause of the grounding was not released.
The 244 meter long, 107505 dwt tanker Maria Bottiglieri ran aground on the Western Scheldt near Borssele, Netherlands. The tanker was headed for Antwerp from the United States when it suffered a mechanical failure and ran aground. Fully loaded, the Maria Bottiglieri was unable to refloat itself and requested assistance. Three tugs were dispatched to the scene and were able to refloat the tanker a few hours later.
The Maria Bottiglieri was escorted to a nearby anchorage for further inspection. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On October 21, the 141 meter long cargo vessel ESL Africa ran aground off Oxelösund, Sweden. The ESL Africa had departed from Norkköping bound for Dakar, Senegal with ammonium nitrate when it suffered engine problems off Hummelvik. The vessel had suffered a mechanical fault causing the ESL Africa to run aground. Authorities were alerted and dispatched divers to the scene. Divers inspected the hull and found no damage. A few hours later the ESL Africa was refloated and proceeded under its own power back to Oxelösund. No reports of injuries and no pollution was released.
