The 42 meter long landing craft Mahalia capsized off Erromango Island, Vanuatu. The Mahalia was en route to Tanna when it lost stability when the cargo shifted. All 13 crew on board were able to abandon ship into the vessel’s liferaft, before the vessel capsized and later sank. Authorities received a distress beacon and asked a nearby container ship Forum Pacific to aid in the search and rescue efforts. The Forum Pacific arrived on scene and rescued the crew. No reports of injuries.
The 86 meter long self-propelled barge Piz Arina ran aground on the Rhine near St. Goar, Germany. The Piz Arina was headed upstream with 1500 tons of glykol when it suffered rudder failure. The barge veered out of the fairway and went aground. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Reports state the Piz Arina will be lightered before it will be refloated.
On January 31, 2015, the 79 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Gunesli ran aground in the Marmara Sea near Tatlisu, Turkey. The Gunesli had been at anchor off Bandirma when a storm approached from the southwest causing the vessel’s anchor to drag. The Gunesli drifted ashore. No reports of injuries or pollution released. No further details reported.
