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Tag: Baltic Sea

MF Axel

MF Axel

MF Axel
Photo: bonniernews.se

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.

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.

 

Déjà vu allision with the Delphin XII

Déjà vu allision with the Delphin XII

Delphin XII - July 8
Photo: expressen.se

On the morning of July 8, the 30 meter long passenger ferry Delphin XII (MMSI: 265609580) allided in the Baltic Sea with a quay at Nacka Strand near Stockholm, Sweden. The Delphin XII was headed to Nacka Strand to pick up more passengers for a voyage to Fjäderholma.  As the ferry approached quay, it failed to reverse engines and struck the quay at full speed.  Five of the 160 passengers on board the Delphin XII were slightly injured from the incident. Nacka authorities dispatched police and emergency personnel to the scene.  The injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment while police investigate the incident.  Authorities are looking into if there was a technical fault or another cause for the crash. The police are treating the incident as a criminal investigation into the negligence in maritime traffic and causing bodily harm.

This wasn’t the first time for the ferry Delphin XII to have an allision at Nacka Strand.  On June 20, the Delphin XII was making a plan stop at Nacka Strand to pickup additional passengers for a voyage to Fjäderholma. As the ferry approached the quay, it suffered rudder failure and drove into an outdoor cafe. There were over 200 persons on board at the time of the incident. The ferry was taken out of service and the passengers would be transported later using another ferry.  No reports of injuries.

Delphin XII - June 20
Photo: aftonbladet.se
Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm
Photo: svt.se

On July 12, the 49 meter long, 658 gt passenger steamship Stockholm (IMO: 5193890) allided on the Baltic Sea at the islet of Kastellholmen in Stockholm, Sweden. The passenger ship was returning from a brunch excursion when it suffered a mechanical failure with the steering.  Unable to control the vessel’s rudder, the crew had just enough time to alert the 204 passengers on board before the passenger ship crashed into the dock. The bow of Stockholm tore into the wooden dock before it finally came to a stop.  There were no injuries to the 204 passengers.

There was significant damage to the quay while the Stockholm only suffered minor damage. There was no reports of water ingress or pollution released from the passenger ship. A tug was dispatched and took the Stockholm under tow.  The maritime police arrived on site and launched an investigation into the incident. The Swedish Transport Agency will also conduct an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Stockholm

The Stockholm was built in 1931 and launched as the S.S. Öland. It is currently used for charters for events, parties and weddings.  This vessel should not be confused with the M/S Stockholm which was infamously involved with the collision of the Andrea Doria in 1956.