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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.

 

Pan Viva

Pan Viva

Pan Viva
Photo: kucb.org

On October 11, the 225 meter long, 75,026 bulk carrier Pan Viva (IMO:9453494) sustained stability issues in the Unalaska Bay off Unalaska Island, Alaska. The Pan Viva dropped anchor but struggled to remain stable with 58 knot winds and waves reaching 30 feet.  The bulk carrier requested assistance and had four of the 21 crew on board airlifted off the vessel.

Pan Viva
Photo: alaskapublic.org

Authorities are monitoring the Pan Viva with a tugboat and coast guard cutter on standby.  Reports state that conditions are too dangerous to provide any assistance to the bulk carrier until conditions improve. There is concern that the Pan Viva may run ashore with the potential to release some 300,000 metric tons of fuel like the Selendang Ayu in 2004.

On December 8 2004, the 225 meter long 72,937 dwt bulk carrier Selendang Ayu (IMO:9145528) suffered engine failure and ran aground just north of Unalaska. With  60 mile per hour winds and 25 foot waves, helicopters attempted to rescue 24 crew off the vessel. Unfortunately a rogue wave struck one of the helicopters killing six crew. Later the Selendang Ayu broke in two releasing 336,000 gallons of fuel oil killing thousands of birds and other maritime wildlife.  The environmental cleanup took until June 2006.