The 88 meter long, 3961 dwt cement carrier Malta Cement went aground near Stockholm, Sweden. The Malta Cement was en route to Vasteras from Rostock with a cargo of cement when it ran aground on Kalvholmen Island. A survey found the vessel suffered no damage. The Malta Cement was refloated on the following hide tide with the assistance of a tug. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 130 meter long, 1894 dwt passenger ro-ro ferry Volcan de Taburiente caught fire while off Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. The ferry had departed for La Gomera with 319 passengers along with a various vehicles when a fire broke out in one of the trucks below deck. Authorities were contacted who dispatched helicopters to the scene. The crew used the ferry’s fire suppression system to fight the blaze. Using water and foam, the system was able to extinguish the blaze. Reports state several passengers were treated for minor injuries. The ferry was able to proceed under its own power to Los Cristianos. The ferry will undergo inspection for damage.
On April 15, the tugboat Todd Michael went aground on Lake Pontchartrain off New Orleans, Louisiana. The tug was towing a barge when it ran onto the rocks near the shoreline. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene. The 2 crew on the Todd Michael were lifted to safety. The one crewman on board the barge was rescued by another vessel. No reports of injuries.
