Arthur J and Madison

Arthur J and Madison

photo: USCG

The 110 foot long dredging barge Arthur J. sank on Lake Huron near the entrance to the St. Clair River at Lakeport State Beach , Michigan.  The Arthur J. was being pushed by the 38 foot long tug Madison when it encountered a storm with 15 to 20 knot winds and heavy rain.   The Madison capsized in the storm while the Arthur J. sank.  No reports of injuries and the crew were all rescued.  An oil spill was spotted around both vessels.  Reports state that some 300 gallons on the tug and 1,500 gallons on the barge.  The Coast Guard deployed some 1400 feet of boom to contain the spill, but some oil has washed ashore.   The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

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Zanzibar Ferry Capsizes

Zanzibar Ferry Capsizes

A 35 meter long, 308 gt ferry capsized off Chumbe Island.   The ferry departed Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania with 281 passengers en route to Zanzibar when it was struck by strong winds and waves.  The ferry quickly lost stability and capsized leaving the Kalama mostly submerged with just a small portion of the keel.  Authorities dispatched rescue boats to the scene.   Reports state 124 people were found alive by rescuers while 24 bodies were recovered.   Some survivors were in good shape, but there were many who were found unconscious.  Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations.   Last report states the ferry has nearly sunk with only a small portion still visible.

There was some confusion to the name of the ferry.   Multiple reports refer the ferry as either the Skagit or the Kalama.  Both ferries were passenger-only ferries built for Washington State.  Both were built in 1989 serving the Seatte area before being sold overseas in 2009 after the local government discontinued the passenger-only vessels.   The pair of the vessels were sold to a firm in Canada for $400,000 before being sold to a company in Tanzania.

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South River

South River

The 158 meter long, 20731 dwt freighter South River went aground off Kronshtadt Island near St. Petersburg, Russia.   The South River was departing from St. Petersburg with a cargo of scrap metal when it ran aground.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.  The South River was last reported to have attempted to refloat itself under its own power.

 

 

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