On July 31, the 79 meter long, 600 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Park City (IMO: 8700709) allided with a barge at Bridgeport, Connecticut. The ferry was entering Bridgeport when it struck a construction barge and sustained minor damage. Reports state there was no water ingress, injuries or pollution released.
The Park City will be taken out of service for about a week for repairs. Reports states some schedule sailings between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson have been cancelled.
On January 5, the 24 meter long fuel barge Mekunu ran aground on a reef off Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. The cause of the grounding was not reported, but the vessel sustained minimal damage and no pollution was released. The Mekunu remained aground until January 7 when it was refloated by the Maldives Coast Guard. No reports of injuries.
On June 10, the 302 foot long barge PML2501 ran aground on the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The barge was being towed by the 132 foot long tugboat Anglian Lady bound for Burns Harbor, Indiana with 3622 tons of coal tar and 6000 gallons of diesel fuel when it struck bottom off Sweets Point. The barge sustained hull damage and suffered water ingress in a ballast tank. The Coast Guard was alerted and found there was no pollution being released from the PML2501. A safety zone was established around the barge while a salvage plan is being developed. No reports of injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.