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Gefion

Gefion

Gefion
Photo: folketidende.dk

On the morning of July 6, the 11 meter long, 2 masted sailing vessel Gefion (MMSI: 211567940) went aground on the Fehmarn Belt off Rødbyhavn, Denmark.  The Gefion was leaving the port of Rødbyhavn when it suffered engine engine failure. The sailing ship was unable to restart the engine before it washed ashore onto a breakwater. The Gefion suffered hull damage as it struck the rocks.  The damage allowed uncontrolled water ingress and the sailing ship flooded until it settled against the breakwater. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.

Danish authorities determined there was no risk to maritime traffic. The 42 meter long dredger Vilma Høj (IMO: 6616904) was hired to remove the Gefion from the breakwater. Reports state the Gefion was removed on July 15. The Gefion was built in 1932 on the Danish island of Thurø.

Fairplay

Fairplay

 

Fairplay
Photo: tvaktuell.com

On the morning of June 11, the 105 meter long self-propelled barge Fairplay (MMSI: 211234090) ran aground on the Danube River near Regensburg, Germany. The Fairplay was headed to Linz from Nürnberg with a cargo of iron ore when it ran aground during a turning maneuver trying to enter the port at Regensburg.  The Fairplay was stuck lying at an angle partially blocking navigation traffic.

Attempts to refloat the Fairplay the following day failed. A pusher tug had arrived on site and was unable to free the barge.  After several failed salvage attempts with the pusher over the following days,  a dredger was dispatched from Rotterdam to lighter part of the cargo of iron ore. Authorities have stated the water level should rise, but may not be enough to aid in refloating the Fairplay. The water police have stated the stranded barge is secured and there is enough room to allow vessel traffic to resume.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

 

H&S Wisdom

H&S Wisdom

H&S Wisdom
Photo: bbc.co.uk

On March 2, the 82 meter long, 1842 dwt cargo vessel H&S Wisdom (IMO: 9195559) ran aground on the Humber estuary in northern England. The H&S Wisdom was headed for the Gunness Wharf on the River Trent when the vessel made a navigational error and ended up high and dry on the mud flats. The Humber Rescue lifeboat was called out and attempted to pull the H&S Wisdom free, but were unsuccessful.

A second attempt was made the following morning.  Three tugs had arrived on scene and attempted to pull the H&S Wisdom free, but they were also unsuccessful.  A third attempt was made later that evening with the rising tide and it also ended in failure. Local authorities state the cargo vessel is firmly “stuck in the mud” and the vessel might be stuck there until the maximum spring tides in April.

The H&S Wisdom was designed to navigate shallow water with a draught of just 11 feet.  However, an aerial inspection found the vessel is quite a distance away from water deep enough to allow it to be refloated.  Authorities did state there were no injuries and no pollution has been released.