On the morning of March 20, a barge sank on a gravel lake in Northeim, Germany. The barge was operating on a gravel lake when it sustained damage and lost buoyancy. The barge partially sank with just part of the hull still above water. Reports state there was no pollution released as the vessel had no engine and no oil stored onboard. The barge owner states damage may be as high as 10.000€. Owners did state they plan to salvage the barge.
On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank. Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.
On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.
Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year. On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.
On the morning of March 17, the 44 meter long fishing vessel Pico Tresmares (IMO: 9098658) caught fire in the Pacific Ocean some 860 nautical miles off La Serena, Chile. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room and quickly grew out of control. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze but were unsuccessful. All 19 crew would later abandoned ship into life rafts. The Pico Tresmares would later capsize and sink. Reports state the crew were later rescued by another fishing vessel. No reports of injuries.