On December 16, the 145 meter long, 10385 dwt cargo vessel Thorco Cloud sank after colliding with the 183 meter long, 37438 dwt tanker Stolt Commitment in the Singapore Strait near Batam Island. The Thorco Cloud was headed to Brazil with Steel when it was struck by the Stolt Commitment. Of the 12 crew on board the Thorco Cloud, six were later rescued. The remaining crew was reported as missing. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
On November 29, the 23 meter long, 100 dwt passenger ferry Sea Prince struck an object near the Nongsapura ferry terminal. The Sea Prince had departed with 97 passengers and 7 crew when it struck a floating object off Batam. Passengers stated they hear a loud bang and then a sound of something scraping against the hull.
The Sea Prince tried to continue on its journey, but the ferry lost power. Passengers were ordered to don life vests and to evacuate to the vessel’s life rafts, but the life rafts tore and began to sink. The Sea Prince requested assistance and another ferry attempted to come to their aid. However, the water was too shallow for the ferry to get close to the Sea Prince. Small wooden boats were able to reach the Sea Prince. All the passengers were transferred to the small boats and taken ashore. No reports of injuries. Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The 150 meter long, 30500 dwt submersible barge POSH Mogami sank off Batam Island near Sekupang, Indonesia. The barge with 9 crew on board was conducting submerging trials when the vessel sank. Six of the crew were rescued by Indonesian authorities, but three others were unable to escape and perished. Authorities state the crew were testing the barge by submerging part of the vessel that required repairs. The test was to pump out the water to allow the Mogami to rise again. However, the test failed the vessel sank. Reports state there would be further investigations into the incident.