On April 6, the 97 meter long cargo vessel Da Pu Jiang sank off Zhejiang Province, China. The cargo vessel was headed for Wufu from Caofeidian when it sank in waters near Ningbo, China.
Authorities launched a search and rescue operation. A rescue vessel and arrived to find 10 of the 13 crew on board had been able to abandoned ship into the vessel’s life raft. A helicopter located two more crew men in the water and hoisted them to safety. Rescuers later discovered the body of the remaining crewman in the water.
On March 27, the 178 meter long, 24700 dwt container ship Delphis Gdansk collided with the 190 meter long, 37506 dwt cargo vessel BBC Neptune off Kalundborg, Denmark. The Delphis Gdansk was en route to Russia from the Netherlands when it approached the bulk carrier Western Boheme and cargo vessel BBC Neptune. The Delphis Gdansk altered its course so that the container ship would pass to the port side of the Western Boheme while the BBC Neptune also changed course to port. While the Delphis Gdansk passed safely by the Western Boheme, the container ship was struck amidship by the BBC Neptune’s starboard hull near the bow.
Both vessels sustained significant damage with hull breaches above the waterline. The Delphis Gdansk had several containers lost or destroyed during the collision. After the collision, a fire started on the BBC Neptune. A response boat was dispatched with fire fighters and were able to assist in extinguishing the blaze. No reports of injuries on either vessel.
Photo: slobodnadalmacija.hr
Authorities dispatched additional response vessels and aircraft to the scene while salvors began a search of containers in the shipping channel. Reports stated seven containers had been lost in the collision. By the next day, salvors had recovered three containers floating in the channel.
Photo: slobodnadalmacija.hr
Photo: fyens.dk
Photo: fyens.dk
Photo: fyens.dk
Photo: fyens.dk
Reports state both the Delphis Gdansk and BBC Neptune will be taken to a nearby shipyard for repairs. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On March 20, the 39 meter long fishing vessel Deborah collided with the 82 meter long, 2289 dwt cargo vessel Britannica Hav in the English Channel near Cherbourg, France. The Britannica Hav was en route to Keadby from Santander with a cargo of steel when it was struck amidships by the Deborah. The Britannica Hav sustained severe hull damage and the cargo holds quickly filled with water. Her seven crew were able to escape into the cargo vessel’s two life rafts before the Britannica Hav capsized.
The Deborah was able to rescue the seven crewmen from the life rafts. Authorities dispatched a helicopter from Jobourg to assist. The helicopter was able to hoist all seven crew from the Britannica Hav off the trawler. One crewman from the Britannica Hav suffered slight injuries and was taken to hospital.
The Deborah sustained bow damage during the collision, but was able to stay afloat. The master of the Deborah also sustained injuries, but decided to stay on board the vessel until it could return back to port in Zeebrugge. There he was later taken to hospital for treatment.
Authorities dispatched patrol boats to the scene to monitor the overturned Britannica Hav. Pollution from the fuel tanks was spotted around the wreck. Debris including several hatch covers were being tracked as being a danger to navigation.
Photo: francebleu.fr
Photo: lemarin.fr
Photo: lemarin.fr
Photo: lemarin.fr
Photo: lemarin.fr
Photo: francebleu.fr
Photo: nieuwsblad.be
Reports state the authorities dispatched the tug Abeille Liberté to the scene to take the overturned Britannica Hav under tow. After connecting a towline, they proceeded for Le Havre at a slow speed so that the Britannica Hav would not sink. Another tug was dispatched and recovered the hatch covers.
