The 128 meter long cargo vessel Sea Leader allided with the tanker SVL Unity in the Kerch Strait at the port of Kavkaz, Russia. The Sea Leader was departing from Kavkaz with 4300 tons of sunflower for Izmir, Turkey when it struck the berthed SVL Unity. Both vessels sustained only minor damage, but were detained in the port until surveys could be completed. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 180 meter long, 7550 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Kent ran aground at the port of Calais, France. The vessel was loaded with 208 passengers, 111 vehicles and 108 crew when it departed from the port of Calais bound for Dover. Conditions were poor with strong winds having gusts reach over 100 km/hour. When the ferry maneuvered out of the port, it allided with against a foot bridge due to the strong winds. Undamaged, the Pride of Kent continued on its voyage. A few minutes later strong wind gusts again slammed the ferry. Before the vessel could even leave the breakwater, the strong winds pushed the Pride of Kent off course and up onto a sandbank along the breakwater.
Authorities were alerted and three tugs were dispatched to the scene. The tugs tried multiple times to refloat the Pride of Kent, but the ferry refused to budge. Eventually after an hour of attempts, the Pride of Kent was pulled freed by the tugs and returned back to its berth. No reports of injuries. Passengers disembarked and the port was closed until weather conditions improved. No reports of pollution released.
The 335 meter long, 96980 dwt container ship Helsinki Bridge allided with a quay at the Paul W. Conley Container Terminal in Boston, Massachusetts. The Helsinki Bridge was berthed at the terminal when strong winds caused all 12 mooring lines to snap. The container ship drifted free striking the pier and one of the terminal’s cranes. Damage to the Helsinki Bridge was minimal, but the pier sustained some damage.
The Coast Guard along with local authorities responded to the scene. Two tugboats and a pilot boat escorted the Helsinki Bridge to Broad Sound where the boxship dropped anchor. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
