The 40 meter long tugboat Squall sank south of the Kerch Strait near the Crimean Peninsula. The tug had suffered steering failure in heavy seas allowing water ingress. The seven crew abandoned ship into the vessel’s life raft before the Squall sank. Authorities were alerted and dispatched several vessels to the scene. A cargo vessel came upon the life raft and rescued all seven crew of the Squall. No reports of injuries.
On August 30, the 68 foot long, 122 gt fishing vessel Master D caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico near Port Isabel, Texas. All three crewmen on the Master D were forced to abandoned ship into a life raft as the smoke engulfed the vessel. Authorities were alerted by an emergency radio beacon from the Master D and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Coho to the scene. The Coho arrived and safely rescued all three crew members. No reports of injuries.
After burning for two days, the Master D sank 58 miles off Port Isabel. Reports show a light sheen over the wreck location. The Coast Guard has reported that it will work with a salvage team to remove any diesel fuel or oil pollution released by the fishing vessel. The Master D had some 23,000 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the incident.
On August 15, the ro-ro passenger ferry KMP Bandeng sank in the Molucca Sea near Maju, Indonesia. The ferry had departed on the evening of August 14th from Tobelo bound for Bitung on North Sulawesi with 24 passengers and 18 crew along with 12 vehicles on board. Several hours into the voyage the ferry contacted authorities. The captain was concerned as the ferry was proceeding in deteriorating weather and decided to turn back to Tobelo.
Authorities lost contact with the ferry a short time later. Unknown to them, the KMP Bandeng had lost power. The ferry’s main engine had failed and now the vessel was adrift in bad weather. With swells reaching two to three meters, the KMP Bangdeng suffered water ingress while no power for the vessel’s pumps. A passenger’s phone was able to contact authorities and alerted them that the vessel was in danger of foundering. The order to abandon ship was given and 18 passengers and crew went into the vessel’s 3 life rafts. Another 17 persons on board would be rescued by local fishermen who came to the aid of the KMP Bandeng. Five people including the captain of the KMP Bandeng were reported as missing.
Authorities dispatched search and rescue vessel to the scene and brought all survivors back to North Maluku Island. Many were taken to hospital for treated for minor injuries or dehydration.