On January 2, the 45 meter long, 299 gt ro-ro passenger ferry Spiekeroog IV (IMO: 7824871) ran aground in the North Sea while at the port of Neuharlingersiel, Germany. The ferry got stuck in port as had proceeded to far up the concrete ramp. The ferry remained aground until the rising tide allowed the Spiekeroog IV to free itself later that night. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the evening of January 2, the 15 meter long fishing vessel BTh 85945 TS sank in the South China Sea at the entrance of the port of La Gi, Vietnam. The fishing vessel capsized and sank after struck by large waves. Three of the 4 crew on board were able to jump into the sea and swim ashore.
Vietnamese authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to begin a search for the missing crew member. The search continued the next day with divers inspecting the overturn hull of the BTh 85945 TS, but there was no sign of the missing crew member. On January 4, the body of the missing person was found.
No further details provided.
On the early morning of January 4, the fishing vessel Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 went aground in the South China Sea at Thuyet Diem 1, Ban Tuong Commune, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 was first spotted the evening of January 3 adrift some 11 nautical miles off the coast by the Vietnamese fisheries vessel 309. The fisheries vessel was able to board the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 and found all the doors closed and the lights were all off. A search of the vessel found there was no sign of any of the crew of the fishing vessel.
A towline was attached and the vessels proceeded, but conditions were quite difficult due to bad weather. Strong winds and heavy seas made it difficult to tow the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888. During the night the towline between the vessels broke . Unable to establish another line to the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888, the fishing vessel eventually went ashore.
Authorities report they are planning to refloat and tow the fishing vessel to a safe harbor. An investigation has been launched into the incident. There were no reports of the status of the crew and circumstances to why the crew had abandoned the fishing vessel.