The 76 meter long barge SL Johanna used in dredging the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal broke-in-two and sank at Dietfurt, Germany. The barge was loaded with 1600 tons of dredged material tied to a quay wall when the sides of the Johanna buckled and the bottom of the hull dropped out. No one was on board at the time and there were no injuries. Reports state the damage amounts to 150000 €. The water police reported that the barge was rated to hold up to 2000 tons of material and was not overloaded at the time.
The 105 meter long, 6535 dwt tanker Doola No. 3 exploded while off Jawol Island, South Korea. The tanker was proceeding in ballast when one of the empty tanks exploded. The explosion broke the vessel in two causing one section to partially sink. Reports state 5 crewmen died in the explosion with another 6 missing. The South Korean Coast Guard rescued the remaining 5 crewmen on board. The tanker was en route for Daesan after unloading 6500 tons of gasoline at Incheon. The Doola No. 3 usually transports diesel fuel rather than gasoline.
The 84 meter long, 4129 dwt freighter Tycoon broke its mooring and went aground at the phosphate loading area, Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. The Tycoon was loading phosphate when heavy swells caused the vessel to break its mooring lines and come ashore and striking the seawall. The swells reached four meters pounding the vessel until the Tycoon broke-in-two. The 15 crewmen on board were rescued by the Australian Navy. Two crewmen suffered slight injuries and were taken to hospital. The Tycoon breakup has released a large amount of pollution including 102 tons of fuel oil, 32 tons of diesel fuel, 11000 litres of lubricant oil and 260 tons of phosphate cargo. A report states the pollution will most likely kill the coral in the cove. Another report state the isolated community will not able to receive supplies at the wharf until the wreck can be salvaged or removed. Authorities have started an investigation into the incident.