Collision off Zeebrugge
The 129 meter long, 8,850 dwt cargo vessel Flinterstar collided with the 315 meter long 122,079 dwt LNG tanker Al Oraiq in the North Sea off the coast of Zeebrugge, Belgium. The Flinterstar was en route to Bilbao, Spain from Antwerp when it was struck by the Al-Oraiq which was bound for Zeebrugge. The Al-Oraiq suffered a slight gash and suffered some water ingress, but was able to proceed with assistance to Zeebrugge. The Flinterstar sustained significant damage with uncontrolled water ingress. The 11 crew on the Flinterstar went overboard into the sea and were all later rescued. The master of the Flinterstar and one crewman sustained slight injuries. The flooding continued on the Flinterstar until it partially sank with part of the hull sitting on a sandbar. Authorities reported that a sheen of oil was spotted around the vessel.
