Keep the Change

Keep the Change

Keep The Change
Photo: Facebook

On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank.  Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.

On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.

Gary M
Gary M recovered in 2024. Photo: Brucepeninsulapress.com

Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year.  On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.

Bers

Bers

Bers
Photo: KEGM

On March 19, the 94.5 meter long, 4237 dwt cargo vessel Bers (IMO: 9044188) became disabled on the Bosphorus near Istanbul, Turkey. The Bers was en route from Iskenderun to Constanta when it suffered engine failure and went adrift. Authorities dispatched the tugboat Kurtarma 11 to assist. The tug took the Bers under tow and proceeded and to Ahırkapı where the cargo vessel dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

MSC Houston V

MSC Houston V

MSC Houston V
Photo: diariodelpuerto.com

On March 20, the 267 meter long, 58321 dwt container ship MSC Houston V (IMO: 9463281) suffered damage in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. The MSC Houston V was on a voyage from Piraeus to Liverpool when it suffered a cargo shift in a severe storm. With rough seas and winds reaching up to 55 miles per hour, the containers on the aft section of the vessel shifted with over 15 containers falling overboard and many more left precariously hanging over the side of the boxship.

The MSC Houston V was forced to seek shelter with the vessel proceeded to the port of Vigo, Spain. The boxship would be towed into port and berthed at the container terminal. No reports of injuries.  Reports state 2 other container ships sought shelter during the same storm.