On May 30, the 193 meter long, 29980 dwt cargo vessel Rickmers Hamburg collided with the self-propelled barge Jiang Shun 1318 in the Bohai Sea off Tianjin, China. The Rickmers Hamburg was departing from Tianjin bound for Kobe, Japan when it struck the aft section of the Jiang Shun 1318. The barge partially sank as the stern flooded. One crewman was missing and another perished on the Jiang Shun. Authorities ordered the Rickmers Hamburg to an anchorage off Tianjin while an investigation is conducted.
The 76 meter long four-deck river passenger ship Eastern Star (Dongfangzhixing) capsized and sank on the Yangtze River in the Wuhan, Damazhou area. The vessel was carrying 405 passengers, 5 travel agents and 48 crew on a holiday cruise up the Yangtze from Nanjing to Chongqing when it was struck by a severe storm. The storm with heavy rain and strong winds caused the vessel to capsize and sink within just a few minutes.
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Many passengers were still asleep on board when the vessel sank. It is believed they received no warning and were still in their cabins. Reports state only 12 of the 458 on board were rescued. Several swam ashore while others were pulled from the water. Some required treatment for minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Among the survivors was the Captain and Chief Engineer of the Eastern Star. They state a cyclone struck the vessel and did not allow the vessel to send out a distress call.
Photo: astroawani.com
Photo: chinadaily.com.cn
Photo: abc.net.au
Authorities responded quickly and had several rescue boats on the scene. Some 20 divers were requested to aid efforts while some 100 local fishing boats have joined in the search and rescue efforts. A crane barge has been requested to help right the overturn hull in hopes to find survivors who may have found an airpocket.
On May 27, the 40 foot long towboat sank on the Mississippi River off Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The vessel had sunk during the early morning hours with no one on board. The vessel had some 150 gallons of fuel on board and the Coast Guard was monitoring to see if any pollution has been released. Reports state the Little Mike sank outside the navigation channel and does not intefere with river traffic. The owners have stated they will wait until the river level drops before salvage begins.
