On May 20, the 140 meter long, 6613 dwt tanker Aleksandr Shemagin allided on the Volga River near Balakovo, Russia. The Aleksandr Shemagin was en route to Syzran from Rostov-on-Don when it struck an embankment along the river. Reports state the tanker and embankment sustained slight damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 85 meter long, 2600 dwt cargo vessel Rimini allided with the lock gate on the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Rimini bound for Rostock entered the northern lock at too high rate of speed and was unable to reverse engines. The crew even dropped the starboard anchor to slow the vessel, but the Rimini continued forward until the bow crashed into the gate. The gate sustained significant damage and could no longer operate. The Rimini sustained dents to the bow hull above the waterline. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Reports state the damage to the lock gate could exceed 500,000 € and has been decommissioned for repairs. Authorities have detained the Rimini while an investigation into the incident was conducted. Initial reports state the vessel sustained a mechanical fault during the incident.
The 26 meter long, 31 dwt offshore supply vessel Njord Forseti allided with a wind turbine in the Borkum Riffgrund wind farm in the North Sea. The Njord Forseti bow sustained significant damage including a half meter crack in the hull allowing water ingress. The vessel’s own pumps kept the flooding under control. Three crew on board the Njord Forseti were injured during the incident. One crewman severely injured was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the Netherlands. A DGzRS lifeboat was dispatched from Borkum to the scene. The lifeboat escorted the Njord Forseti back to the port of Eemshaven. No reports of pollution released.