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.
August 12 Update
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.
The coastal cargo vessel Duc Cuong 06 sank in the Gulf of Tonkin near the Nghi Son, Vietnam. The Duc Cuong 06 was headed to Ho Chi Minh from Nhgi Son with approximately 4600 tons of clinker on board. Authorities were alerted an hour after leaving port that the vessel was in trouble and requested assistance. The 10 persons on board, nine crew and one passenger, were able to abandon ship before the vessel sank. The 10 people were rescued by nearby port authorities vessels. No report of injuries.
The cause of the sinking was not reported, but the sinking is under investigation by authorities at Thanh Hoa.
