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Tag: Baltic Sea

Sofia

Sofia

Sofia
Photo: Swedish Maritime Authority

On the evening of November 28, the 70 meter long, 1827 dwt cargo vessel Sofia (IMO: 8616087) suffered an explosion and fire in Baltic Sea some 30 nautical miles off the coast of Bornholm, Denmark. The Sofia was proceeding in ballast from Poland to Karlshamn when the vessel alerted authorities a mayday alert and the crew needed to abandon ship. Both Danish and Swedish authorities dispatched helicopters and vessels to the scene. Reports state a Swedish rescue helicopter was first to arrive over the Sofia and were able to winch up all 5 crew safely.  The helicopter took the crew to Kristianstad and were reported unharmed from the incident. Polish authorities also dispatched the rescue vessel Kapitan Poinc along with a tugboat towards the drifting Sofia.

Sofia
Photo: tvn24.pl

Reports state the vessel’s owners had dispatched a tug from Rostock to take the Sofia under tow and take it to a shipyard for repair. No details on the cause of the explosion nor the extent of damage caused by the explosion and the fire. Authorities stated the Sofia was not a threat to navigation in the area.

 

Annika

Annika

Annika
Photo: DGzRS

On the morning of October 11, the 73 meter long, 1646 dwt tanker Annika caught fire while in the Baltic Sea several kilometers off Kühlungsborn, Germany.  The tanker, loaded with 640 tons of crude oil, had departed from Rostock bound for Travemünde when a fire broke out on the vessel.  The fire released out large plumes of dense black smoke and spread over the superstructure.

The Annika sent out a distress call with authorities dispatching a DGzRS rescue boat to the scene. The rescue boat Wilma Sikorski arrived a short time later and rescued all seven crew off the tanker.  Some of the Annika crew sustained slight injuries and taken to hospital.

Annika
Photo: DGzRS

Additional vessels arrived on scene to conduct firefighting including the DGzRS vessel Arkona and tug Baltic along with the fireboat Albert Wegener and several water police vessels. These vessels doused the tanker with water bringing the fire under control on deck, but were unable to extinguish the blaze completely below deck.  The Annika was taken under tow by two salvage tugboats to Rostock where the local fire brigade would continue the effort. Reports state fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the blaze the following day.

Authorities have blocked access to the vessel as they conduct an investigation.  Divers did inspect the hull for heat damage while an oil boom was placed around the the Annika to contain any pollution released.  Initial reports state the fire engulfed the entire stern of the vessel severely damaging the engine room and destroying the tanker’s lifeboat. Conflicting reports state the fire may have started in the vessel’s paint room or possibly the engine room. The cargo tanks were reported to be intact and were not involved with the fire.

 

Makassar Highway

Makassar Highway

Makassar Highway
Photo: kustbevakningen.se

On July 23, the 139 meter long, 6890 dwt car carrier Makassar Highway ran aground in the Baltic Sea near Vastervik, Sweden. The Makassar Highway was headed for Södertälje from Cuxhaven with 1325 vehicles on board when it ran aground at full speed into shallow water.  The Makassar Highway went hard aground with enough force that the bow was nearly out of the water. A small amount of hydrolic oil leaked from the bow thruster.  The Swedish Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene.  Coast Guard vessels placed a boom around the hull to contain any further pollution released.

An initial investigation found the crewman at the helm at the time of the incident was intoxicated.  He did not change course and allowed the car carrier to steer straight into shallow water.  Swedish authorities report that the crewman was arrested for gross negligence.

Divers were dispatched to inspect the Makassar Highway for damage. The Coast Guard and Swedish authorities are in discussion with the vessel’s owner to develop a salvage plan.