Raffaele Rubatino

Raffaele Rubatino

RAFFAELE RUBATTINO
Photo: shippax.com

On August 10, the 180 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Raffaele Rubatino (IMO: 9144744) caught fire in the Gulf of Naples some 15 miles off Naples, Italy. The Raffaele Rubatino was on a schedule voyage between Palermo to Naples with 155 passengers and undisclosed number of vehicles when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was able to quickly extinguish the blaze, but the fire had damaged the machinery in the engine room.  Unable to navigate the Raffaele Rubatino requested assistance.  Authorities dispatched two tugs to tow the ferry into port while 2 Italian Coast Guard vessels and another ferry were standing by. Authorities had both medical and fire fighting personnel were waiting on the dock when the Raffaele Rubatino finally reached port.

Reports state there were no reports of injuries.

 

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger
Photo: USCG

On the morning of August 1, the 110 foot long tug vessel Sea Ranger sank in the Gulf of Alaska some 130 miles south of Cordova, Alaska. The Sea Ranger contacted the United States Coast Guard that the vessel was taking on water and requested assistance.  The Coast Guard responded by sending an HC-130 Super Hercules aircraft from Kodiak with a dewatering pump. The helicopter arrived and able to deliver0 the pump to the crew and returned to back to shore.

Two hours later the Sea Ranger contacted the Coast Guard stating the vessel was in trouble. The tug vessel had suffered a fire in the engine room and the main engine was now inoperative. With no power for the dewatering pumps, the crew of four were unable to stop the water ingress. The Coast Guard deployed a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter along with an HC-130 Super Hercules airplane to assist. The helicopter arrived a few hours later on scene and hoisted all 4 crew members off the Sea Ranger.  The crew were flown to Cordova and found to be in good condition. The tug vessel was last reported to be in sinking condition and was assumed lost.

LCT Golden Phoenix

LCT Golden Phoenix

LCT Golden Phoenix
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On August 7, the ~55 meter long, ~650 dwt ro-ro landing craft/cargo vessel LCT Golden Phoenix ran aground off San Miguel Bay near Camarines Sur, Philippines. The Philippine Coast Guard reported the LCT Golden Phoenix was carrying a cargo of construction materials when it was blown aground due to strong winds and currents in the bay. The 13 crew on board were rescued by the Coast Guard and there were no reports of injuries.

Local authorities and the Philippine Coast Guard were monitoring the cargo vessel for any release of pollution. Reports stated the vessel developed a sharp list to port after it ran aground with part of its railings were submerged. An aerial survey showed the cargo of construction materials had fallen overboard, but authorities have not reported any environmental damage.  Authorities do state the vessel’s owner have arranged for divers to inspect the hull and preparing plans to salvage the vessel. An initial attempt to conduct a full inspection had to be delayed due to rough sea conditions.

 

Details about the vessel and registration for the LCT Golden Phoenix were not clear. The length and dwt of the vessel is an approximation. The owners of the LCT Golden Phoenix may be the Rline Transport Inc based in Manila, Philippines, but this has not been confirmed.