On December 16, the 145 meter long, 10385 dwt cargo vessel Thorco Cloud sank after colliding with the 183 meter long, 37438 dwt tanker Stolt Commitment in the Singapore Strait near Batam Island. The Thorco Cloud was headed to Brazil with Steel when it was struck by the Stolt Commitment. Of the 12 crew on board the Thorco Cloud, six were later rescued. The remaining crew was reported as missing. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
On November 26, the 29 meter long fishing vessel Baratz became disabled and sank off Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The crayfish boat had suffered engine failure and water ingress in heavy seas with winds reaching 20 knots and swells reaching 5 meters. The Baratz requested assistance with it’s sister ship, Helena Marie coming to her aid. The Helena Marie attempted to tow the Baratz back to port, but the Baratz flooding caused the vessel to list. The 25 crew on board were forced to abandoned ship into the fishing vessel’s two life rafts before the Baratz sank. The NSRI dispatched a lifeboat which was joined by two helicopters to the scene. All 25 crew were later rescued. No reports of injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The 42 foot long fishing vessel Marley Gabriella sank at its mooring in Stonington, Maine. The vessel was unmanned when it sank in 70 feet of water. A small sheen was spotted as fuel leaked through the vents. The owner of the Marley Gabriella has contracted divers to close the vents and refloat the vessel. The Coast Guard was notified and will monitor the recovery of the fishing vessel and any potential pollution released. Later reports stated the vessel was refloated and dewatered the following day before it was towed to a drydock at Stonington.