Sank - Shipwreck Log

At the end of December 2025, the 24 meter long tugboat Hawaii (MMSI: 366997470) sank on Presque Isle Bay at Erie, Pennsylvania. Details on the incident are limited. The tugboat had sunk at its berth and only a small portion was still visible above water. There was on board the Hawaii at the time of the incident.

Pollution booms were placed around the wreck and dewatering pumps were deployed to refloat the tug. The Hawaii was first launched in 1911 and had been deployed on Lake Erie for ice breaking. The tug was renamed from Indiana to Hawaii in 2011.

BTh 85945 TS

January 5, 2026 Paul Hancock

On the evening of January 2, the 15 meter long fishing vessel BTh 85945 TS sank in the South China Sea at the entrance of the port of La Gi, Vietnam. The fishing vessel capsized and sank after struck by large waves. Three of the 4 crew on board were able to jump into the sea and swim ashore.

Vietnamese authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to begin a search for the missing crew member. The search continued the next day with divers inspecting the overturn hull of the BTh 85945 TS, but there was no sign of the missing crew member. On January 4, the body of the missing person was found.

No further details provided.

Nine Boats Sunk by Snow

January 3, 2026 Paul Hancock

According to local news reports, the record-breaking snow in Juneau, Alaska has resulted in multiple vessels of various sizes to sink in the Gastineau Channel within the Juneau harbor. The Juneau harbor typically operates with a smaller workforce during the winter months and were quickly overwhelmed by the heavy snowfall. On December 30, there had been 16 inches of snow and by the end of December the total snowfall had reached 50 inches.

The workers in the harbor would clear snow off nearly 50 vessels, but at least 9 would either capsize or sink. This includes many personal watercraft along with larger vessels. Reports state the 54 foot fishing vessel Julie Ann sunk in the harbor. Reports state that workers are dewatering and refloat the impacted vessels, but efforts have been hampered by weather and resources.