On January 27, the 23.4 meter long, 80 ton dhoniLeo Wing ran aground in the Indian Ocean on Ekefaru reef off Gaafu Alifu, Maldives. The Leo Wing was proceeding to Nilandhoo and Dhaandhoo with Ramadan gifts including over 1000 gunny bags of rice, flour and sugar when it ran aground the reef. The wooden/fiberglass vessel sustained hull damage and developed a port side list. Reports state all the cargo had fallen overboard and was lost. No reports of any injuries.
Photo: leotrading.mv
The owners of the Leo Wing have stated they plan to refloat the vessel.
On the evening of January 23, the 87 foot long, 297 gt scalloper Vanquish (IMO: 9633056) collided with the 55 foot long trawler Mattie and Maren II (MMSI: 367388850) in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 10 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island. The two fishing vessels were operating in foul weather with six foot waves and winds reaching 25 miles per hour when they collided. The Vanquish was undamaged and there were no injuries to the 6 crew onboard. However, the Mattie and Maren II sustained hull damage resulting in uncontrolled water ingress. The 4 crew on board donned survival suits and prepared to abandon ship due to the flooding.
A distress call was sent out with the United States Coast Guard responding. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor life boat from Montauk, New York along with a Jayhawk helicopter from Cape Cod. Within an hour the motor life boat reached the Mattie and Maren II and assisted in dewatering efforts. Unfortunately, the trawler was too far waterlogged and weather conditions were deteriorating. The four crew were transferred safely off the trawler to the motor life boat and later taken to Montauk. No reports of injuries.
The Vanquish was able to proceed under its own power to port in New Bedford. The Coast Guard issued out a marine alert that the trawler was adrift in the area.
There were no additional reports of the status of the Mattie and Maren II. It may be assumed the trawler sank after the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the afternoon of January 23, the 236 meter long, 61000 dwt heavy lift vessel Les Alizés (IMO: 9911032) caught fire on the Ems River while berthed at Eemshaven, Netherlands. The fire started with batteries stored in a mechanical room. The crew initially were able to contain the fire, but were unable to keep the batteries from re-igniting.
The local fire brigade arrived on site and help isolate the batteries. After the batteries were disconnected, the fire brigade remove the batteries off the Les Alizés and stored them in a water basin on the quay. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
