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Category: Sank

Neel Kamal

Neel Kamal

Neel Kamal
Photo: uk.news.yahoo.com

On December 18, the passenger ferry Neel Kamal collided with an Indian Navy speedboat in the Indian Ocean off Mumbai, India. The Neel Kamal was taking some 111 passengers on a sightseeing trip to the Elephanta Caves, an island home to an UNESCO World Heritage site when it was rammed by the speedboat.  The passenger ferry’s hull was holed and the vessel suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The vessel would roll over onto its side as it sank.

Authorities were able to launch a search and rescue operation immediately after the collision. Multiple helicopters along with 15 naval, police and coast guard vessels assisted in rescuing survivors from the incident. Authorities were aided by several private boats along with the harbor pilot boat Poorva which was able to rescue 25 from the sea.

Authorities report that 111 people were rescued with 4 sustaining critical injuries. Officials stated that 2 passengers were still reported as missing and 13 people perished from the incident.

A passenger captured the incident on video showing the speedboat making high speed zigzags before it struck the Neel Kamal.  The Indian Navy has stated the speedboat had suffered engine failure and lost control. Authorities have stated the Neel Kamal was overloaded with passengers than it was rated for just 84 passengers and 6 crew. The incident is under investigation.

Theodore Too

Theodore Too

Theodore Too
Photo: q107.com

On the night of December 17, the 18 meter long tugboat Theodore Too (MMSI: 316004923) sank on the Welland Canal while berthed at the Port Weller Dry Dock in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Reports state there was a “mishap” which allowed uncontrolled water ingress causing the tug to sink. The Theodore Too remained partially sunk. Authorities had booms placed around the vessel to prevent any pollution being released.

The tug was refloated on the afternoon of December 19. No details were disclosed to the extent of damage to the tugboat. There were no injuries.

The Theodore Too was built in 2000 as a life-sized replica of the Theodore Tugboat, a title character in a Canadian children’s TV show that aired between 1993 to 2001, that would cruise between the Great Lakes and the Canadian seaboard.

Wind Walker

Wind Walker

Wind Walker
Photo: Visit Sitka Facebook Page

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

Hubbard
Ferry Hubbard

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.