On the evening of November 23, the 14 meter long, 19 gt towboat Shoei Maru collided with the 230 meter long, 81,043 dwt bulk carrier Yiannis N. G. (IMO: 9701308) in Osaka Bay near Kobe, Japan. Reports state the Yiannis N. G. had struck the Shoei Maru causing the towboat to capsize. The Japan Coast Guard and the local fire department launched a search and rescue operation looking for the three crew of the Shoei Maru. One of the crew was found conscious in the water. He would be rescued and later taken to hospital. Reports state another of the crew was found trapped in the overturned vessel. A search for the missing crew person is still ongoing.
Reports state there was no report of injuries to the 21 crew of the Yiannis N. G. and there was no damage to the bulk carrier. Authorities state they have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the morning of November 11, the 54 meter long, wooden hull Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper Ukushima (MMSI: 31999662) was lost in Sagami Bay some 2.5 kilometers off Oshima Island, Japan. While conducting a drill, a fire started in the Ukushima engine room. The initial attempt by the crew to contain the blaze failed. As the fire began to engulf the vessel, the crew requested assistance. The Japan Coast Guard dispatch a fire fighting vessel while the MSDF redirected the minesweeper Toyoshima to the scene. After several hours of fire fighting, the fire looked as if it was contained. However, the fire would later flare up again a short time later and spread through out the wooden hull.
Authorities determined the next action was to evacuate the Ukushima crew over to the Toyoshima. When the evacuation was completed, a roll call found that the petty officer on duty in the engine room had been left on board the Ukushima.
Reports state the fire continued to engulf the Ukushima until the vessel capsized and sank. The Coast Guard have dispatched divers to inspect the wreck and search the vessel for the missing person. Authorities also state one other crew person was injured from smoke inhalation. This crew person was also on duty in the engine room at the time of the incident. The MSDF has launched an investigation into the incident.
Photo: yahoo
Photo: yahoo
Photo: hk01.com
Photo: Kyodonews.net
Authorities have stated only one other minesweeper has been lost to a fire since 1966.
On the evening of October 5, the 85 meter long, 2800 dwt Royal New Zealand Navy hydrographic dive and survey ship HMNZS Manawanui (IMO: 9273662) ran aground and sank off the the island of Upolu, Samoa. The HMNZS Manawanui was doing an hydrographic survey 1 mile off the shore off a reef when it ran aground on the reef. Reports state the vessel struck a part of the reef that is much deeper than other sections known as a bommie. Due to the rough conditions and high winds the vessel most likely hit the reef in a swell causing the hull the strike the reef. The hull sustained significant damage and multiple compartments flooded. The survey ship was setting by the stern and developed a list to starboard.
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Unable to contain the water ingress, all 75 crew and passengers abandoned ship onto the vessel’s life rafts. Local Samoa authorities responded to the incident and dispatched rescue craft to the scene. Rescuers were able to transport all 75 people off the life rafts and safely ashore. Reports state 2 individuals sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital. A dozen more sustained minor cuts and abrasions from contact with the reef.
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Photo: facebook.com/sfesa2017
Around the 7am the following morning of October 6, the HMNZS Manawanui was still visible above the water with a severe list. Dense smoke was spotted billowing out of the vessel suggesting a fire had engulf part of the superstructure. By 9 am the HMNZS Manawanui had finally rolled over and sunk.
Samoan authorities are monitoring the area for any pollution released. New Zealand authorities have dispatched a C-130 aircraft to Samoa with medical supplies, personnel and some light clean-up equipment. While no reports of oil pollution, there is a high chance of some fuel or hydraulic oil has been released.
Reports suggest the survey vessel may have lost power before it ran aground, but this has not been verified. Reports state there is some discussion if the vessel will be salvaged, but a site inspection will gather information to see if any salvage is feasible.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including a Court of Inquiry as the HMNZS Manawanui was purchased in 2019 for $100 million.
