The 97 meter long, 6948 dwt cargo vessel Xin Dong Yuan sank in the Taiwan Strait off Pintang Island, China. The Xing Dong Yuan had collided with another cargo vessel and quickly sank. Authorities were alerted and a search and rescue operation was deployed. Over 20 vessels and aircraft searched for the 14 crew of the Xing Dong Yuan. Four crew were rescued and four bodies were recovered. The name of the second vessel in the collision was not disclosed.
The 65 foot long fishing vessel Challenge sank at New Bedford, Massachusetts. The vessel had sunk by the stern during the early morning hours releasing diesel fuel and lube oil into the water. A tugboat alerted authorities of the sunken fishing vessel and the pollution release. Authorities placed booms around the Challenge and used absorbent pads to collect as much pollution as possible within the booms. Reports state the diesel slick reached some 1.5 miles into Fairhaven. No reports of injuries.
The 17 meter long privately own submarine Nautilus UC3 sank in Koge Bay near Copenhagen, Denmark. The sub had suffered a technical fault with a ballast tank valve causing the submarine to sink in less than a minute. The vessel’s owner, Peter Madsen, was the sole person on board at the time of the incident. He was able to escape and jump into the sea before the submarine plunged for the bottom. Danish authorities were alerted when the submarine failed to arrive. Multiple rescues vessels were deployed in a search and rescue operation. Luckily, he was spotted and safely rescued. He was later taken to Dragor Harbor. No reports of injuries.
Authorities arrested Peter Madsen under the suspicion of murder. Reports state a journalist was on board the submarine at the time when it sank. Madsen stated he had dropped off the reporter on an island three hours into the voyage. However, authorities were unable to locate her after she was reported missing. Indications point to the submarine being intentionally sunk rather than by a stuck ballast tank valve as initially reported.