On December 20, the 163 meter long, 4286 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Isle of Innisfree (IMO: 8908466) allided with the quay in the port of Fishguard, Wales. The Isle of Innisfree was attempting to dock when it suffered difficulties and struck the quay and tearing a hole in the port side of the stern. The hole is above the waterline and no reports of water ingress. There were no reports of injuries.
The ferry would undergo emergency repairs before it could proceed on its return voyage to Dublin. Authorities are investigating the incident.
On the morning of December 11, the 161 meter long, 24935 dwt cargo vessel BBC Iceland (IMO: 9605906) allided with boardwalk in the port of Veracruz, Mexico. Strong northerly winds caused the BBC Iceland‘s bow mooring lines to break. The cargo vessel drifted until the bow struck the boardwalk and a small tour boat docked along the boardwalk. Authorities dispatched four tugs to slowly push back the cargo vessel to its berth. No reports of injuries.
Navigation was closed at the port of Veracruz as strong winds had reached gusts up to 110 kilometers per hour. Authorities stated there was only minor damage to the boardwalk and the BBC Iceland.
On December 8, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Regina K (MMSI: 211414050) allided on the Moselle River within the Müden lock. The Regina K, fully loaded with scrap, prematurely entered the Müden lock before the lock gates were fully open. This resulted in the lock gates being torn away and leaving them severely damaged along with the anchors and equipment used to control the gates. Hydraulic lines were cut and pollution was released into the river. Local fire brigade placed a boom to contain any additional pollution. The Regina K sustained significant bow damage, but did not suffer any water ingress. There were no reports of injuries.
Photo: presseportal.de
Reports state the incident may have been caused by a technical fault on the vessel. Authorities have closed traffic indefinitely at the lock until repairs can be done. Early estimates state the lock may not be back into service until March 2025. Reports state that much of the lock gate parts need to be replaced and the replacement gate would require additional upgrades before it could be put into service.
Some 70 vessels were reported stuck above the lock as there is just a single lock at Müden. With the route blocked, river traffic was backing up as far as the French border. Authorities were determining what action can be done. Some discussion was to use the dam gate plates to allow vessels to proceed downstream. However, this would require the use of divers and would be a time-intensive effort. Until a solution is implemented, vessels have been asked to stay at their berths upstream of the lock.
