On the morning of July 30, the 81 meter long self-propelled barge Dythar (MMSI: 244129846) allided on the Scheldt River at Terneuzen, Netherlands. The Dythar was approaching the west lock at Terneuzen when it was struck by another undisclosed vessel. The Dythar then crashed into the lock damaging both the lock and the vessel. Authorities closed the lock for an hour until emergencies repairs could be completed. Reports state there was some hull damage to both the bow and stern of the Dythar above the waterline. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On July 19, the barges Amazon River, EE Margarette and Yangtze River went aground in Balayan Bay along the shoreline near Calaca City, Batangas, Philippines. The barges Amazon River, loaded with 1567 mt of molasses, and Yangtze River, loaded with 1462 mt of molasses, were under tow by the tug Robina I bound for Balayan. Nearby, the barge EE Margarette, loaded with 1772 mt of molasses, was being towed by the tug Robina II was also bound for Balayan. The vessels had to divert due to rough seas from Tropical Storm Crising and shelter in the bay. The winds from the tropical storm was strong enough to snap the mooring lines to the barges resulting in all three barges washing ashore. The barge Amazon River and EE Margarette collided during the incident resulting in hull damage to the EE Margarette.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated that all 21 crew onboard the vessels were safe. Authorities stated that some of the molasses cargo from the EE Margarette was released into sea. The coast guard stated the cargo was considered non-hazardous and would dissipate in the sea. Local officials stated salvage and the removal of the barges will be done as soon as conditions improved.
On the morning of July 3, the fishing vessel Sr. Fernando II collided with the ro-ro passenger ferry Peñafrancia VI in Tayabas Bay off the port of Lucena, Quezon, Philippines. The two vessels collided head-on resulting in damage to the Peñafrancia VI‘s starboard section of the bow and ramp. The Sr. Fernando II also sustained bow damage. There were no injuries to the 82 passengers and 18 crew on the ferry and the 16 crew on the fishing vessel. No pollution was released.
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard
The Philippine Coast Guard were alerted and ordered the Peñafrancia VI back to port. The Coast Guard then assisted having all passengers and vehicles off the ferry while the Peñafrancia VI was inspected for damage. An investigation found the fishing vessel had made an error with steering causing it to turn towards the approaching ferry. Reports state the owners of the vessels have settled over the costs from the incident.
