On April 9, the 350 meter long, 120853 dwt container ship CMA CGM Pelleas (IMO: 9365788) ran aground in the English Channel at Southampton, England. The CMA CGM Pelleas was departing from its berth in Southampton bound for Rotterdam when it made a navigation error and nearly struck a retaining wall, but instead ran aground just short of the wall.
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Harbour tugs were able to quickly pull the container ship free and escort the vessel to a berth. There were no reports of injuries. The CMA CGM Pelleas is to be inspected for any damage from the incident. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation into the incident.
On the afternoon of April 9, the 161 meter long, 17666 dwt container ship Victoria L (IMO: 9430155) caught fire in the North Sea some 56 kilometers off Scheveningen, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room while en route to Rotterdam from Hamburg without cargo. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but their efforts were not successful.
Photo: Dutch Coast Guard
The Victoria L sent out a distress call with the Dutch Coast Guard responding. Multiple boats along with a fix-wing aircraft and 2 helicopters were deployed to assist the container ship. A fire brigade was transported by helicopter to the Victoria L. After a few hours after the fire started, the fire fighters were able to extinguish the blaze.
Reports state the Victoria L was able to regain power and proceeded to Rotterdam escorted by the KNRM. No reports of injuries to the 19 crew on board. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. The incident is under investigation.
On the early morning hours of April 2, the 129 meter long, 8470 gt bulk carrier Jianghai Zhida 66 (MMSI: 413530020) collided with the 136 meter long, 15496 dwt container ship Ningyuan Beilun (MMSI: 413609370) in the Yellow Sea near Yangmao Island, Ningbo, China. The Ningyuan Beilun departed from Ningbo with 934 containers struck the Jianghai Zhida 66 resulting in only minor damage to the Ningyuan Beilun. However, the Jianghai Zhida 66 sustained severe hull damage and uncontrolled water ingress on the bulk carrier. The water ingress was so great that the Jianghai Zhida 66 sank only five minutes after the collision throwing its 13 crew into the sea.
Ningbo authorities launched a search and rescue collision soon after the bulk carrier sank. Rescuers were able to pull 9 crew from the water uninjured. However, 3 other crew were found injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities found one crew member had perished from the incident and recovered the body from the sea.
Photo: eworldship.com
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The Ningyuan Beilun proceed to the Zhoushan Anchorage while the incident is being investigated. Reports state the Jianghai Zhida 66 was heading to load cargo at Ningbo for a voyage to Jiangyin. Authorities have not stated if any pollution has appeared over the site where the bulk carrier sank.
