On the morning of November 3, the 24 meter long motor vessel Kehrheim sprung a leak in the Baltic Sea while berth at Burgstaaken, Germany. Reports state the Kehrheim had partially sank during the night after the bilge pump had failed. The local fire brigade was called out which brought dewatering pumps to the scene. Fire fighters deployed a boom around the vessel to contain any pollution while 4 dewatering pumps were able to contain the flooding. After several hours, the Kehrheim was stable and the bilge pump would be repaired. No reports of injuries.
On the afternoon of August 9, the 26 meter long 3-masted schooner Alvei (MMSI: 576054000) allided on the Baltic Sea at Eckernförde, Germany. The Alvei was conducting a maneuver to dock in the harbor when it struck the quay wall. The vessel’s jib boom swung out and struck a power and water distribution box resulting in fountain of water reaching up to 5 meters high. Local utility workers were able to shut off the power and water a short time later.
Damage to the Alvei had not been disclosed, but authorities were conducting a survey of the harbor and schooner. No reports of injuries and no pollution released. The Alvei was originally built as a fishing lugger in Scotland in 1920. The vessel was extensively re-rigged in 1986 with square sails on both of its forward masts.
On the afternoon of July 19, the 18 meter long, 29 gt passenger ship MF Axel (MMSI: 265632000) ran aground in the Baltic Sea in the Karlskrona archipelago off Ramsö, Sweden. The MF Axel was proceeding with 87 passengers when it grounded in shallow water in the narrow Sjuhallasundet Strait. The passenger ship remained firmly aground on the sandy bottom just 100 meters from the shore and was unable to free itself. The Swedish Coast Guard and Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) was called out to assist and arrived a short time later. Rescuers began an evacuation of all the passengers off the MF Axel. During the evacuation, the MF Axel was lightened enough it floated free. However, not until all passengers were transferred off the passenger ship, the MF Axel was allowed to proceed under its own power back to Karlskrona. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
Photo: aftonbladet.se
Photo: bonniernews.se
Photo: bonniernews.se
Photo: svt.se
Photo: bonniernews.se
Authorities launched an investigation into the incident. The Coast Guard questioned the crew and checks for alcohol were negative. An initial report stated the incident was at no fault of the vessel or the crew. The iron hulled MF Axel was built in 1934 and operates between Fisktorget in Karlskrona and Nättraby.
