Cargo Vessel - Shipwreck Log

Heiko

September 19, 2018 Paul Hancock

The 55 meter long, 839 dwt cargo vessel Heiko caught fire off Flatøy, Norway. The Heiko was proceeding in ballast in heavy seas when it suffered engine failure. Soon after a fire broke out in the engine room and quickly spread to other compartments on the Heiko. The four crew on board sent out a distress call stating the Heiko was disabled and on fire. Authorities dispatched a rescue boat and helicopter to the scene. One crewman was saved by the rescue boat while three others were hoisted to safety by the helicopter. Reports state one crew person on the Heiko suffered a broken arm during the incident.

With heavy seas and gale force winds, rescuers were unable to combat the fire on board the Heiko. Authorities state the fire had consumed much of the vessel’s superstructure. The Heiko continued to drift until it ran aground.

Arklow Resolve

September 11, 2018 Paul Hancock

The 90 meter long, 4868 dwt cargo vessel Arklow Resolve became disabled off Marstrand, Sweden. The cargo vessel was bound for Sevilla from Gothenburg when it suffered engine failure. Unable to make repairs, the Arklow Resolve went adrift in heavy sea with waves reaching 4 meters in height. Authorities were alerted and dispatched two patrol boats to the scene. The patrol boats took the Arklow Resolve under tow and proceeded to Dana Fjord near Gothenburg. There the cargo vessel dropped anchor where it will undergo repairs to the main engine. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Seven Aground Off Kaohsiung

August 27, 2018 Paul Hancock

Unlimited 2

On August 23, a severe storm struck off the southwestern tip of Taiwan. Heavy winds and strong winds battered the shoreline near the port of Kaohsiung. Several vessels which had been sitting in ballast were quickly blown ashore.

The 113 meter long, 6835 dwt container ship Jin Hua was blown aground north of Kaohsiung near Tainan City.
The 89 meter long, 2000 dwt container ship Unlimited 2 ran aground between Kaohsiung and Tainan City.
The 107 meter long, 6555 dwt tanker Dragonaria went ashore along the southern breakwater of Kaohsiung.
The 83 meter long, 4063 dwt cargo vessel Shun Hong ashore off Kaohsiung.
The 98 meter long, 5000 dwt cargo vessel Chang Long 68 was blown ashore.
The 98 meter long cargo vessel An Li 669 went aground off Kaohsiung.
The 126 meter long, 8085 dwt cargo vessel Shun Yue 19 reported ashore near Kaohsiung.

Reports state some 66 crew were rescued safely off five of the stranded vessels. No reports of injuries. Reports state a fishing vessel also went ashore and broke up, but all the crew were safely rescued by authorities. Authorities and salvage companies responded after the storm and began removal of fuel off the stranded vessels. Some 85 tons of fuel was estimated to be on board the multiple vessels at the time of the incident.