On December 16, the 145 meter long, 10385 dwt cargo vessel Thorco Cloud sank after colliding with the 183 meter long, 37438 dwt tanker Stolt Commitment in the Singapore Strait near Batam Island. The Thorco Cloud was headed to Brazil with Steel when it was struck by the Stolt Commitment. Of the 12 crew on board the Thorco Cloud, six were later rescued. The remaining crew was reported as missing. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
The 33 meter long towboat Margaret Ann and the 67 meter long towboat William E. Strait collided on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. The two towboats were attempting to pass each other when they collided near the Interstate 55 bridge. The William E. Strait sustained hull damage and water ingress and sank near the riverbank in 20 feet of water. The Coast Guard dispatched a vessel to the scene to monitor the situation. Divers and a clean-up crew arrived on scene and barriers were placed around the towboat to contain any pollution released. A sheen was reported around the William E. Strait as some fuel has been released. No details reported on the status of the Margaret Ann. No injuries were reported.
The 151 meter long, 10600 dwt container ship Nordic Bremen collided with the 139 meter long, Brandenburg class frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the Kiel Canal near Shulp, Germany. The two vessels were passing in the canal when strong gust of wind caused the vessels to strike head-on. The Nordic Bremen suffered breaches in the bow and the frigate sustained multiple hull breaches in the bow above the waterline. No reports of injuries on either vessel.
The Nordic Bremen was able to proceed to Kiel under its own power. There it will be detained while authorities conduct an investigation. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was escorted by three tugs to Brunsbuettel. Reports state both vessels with need repairs before they can resume operations.
