On November 1, the 129 meter long, 11215 dwt tanker Akdeniz collided with the 155 meter long, 17145 dwt container ship Matilde A in the Black Sea off Constanta, Romania. Both vessels had pilots on board proceeding in bad weather when the Akdeniz struck the Matilde A. The Matilde A sustained damage with a two meter gash and a small hole below the waterline in a starboard ballast tank. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Both vessels proceeded to Constanta under their own power. The Matilde A was reported to proceed to a shipyard for my repairs. Constanta authorities has launched an investigation into the incident.
Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream
On August 24, 1999, the 230 meter long, 6731 dwt passenger cruise ship Norwegian Dream collided with the 294 meter long, 55527 dwt container ship Ever Decent in the English Channel. Around 1:15 a.m., the Norwegian Dream was en route to Dover, England from Zeebrugge, Belgium with 2,400 passengers when it struck the Ever Decent four miles southeast of the Falls Head Buoy. Passengers awoke hearing a loud bang and cruise ship shaking violently.
Some passengers remarked they were worried the vessel sank like the 1997 Titanic movie
Frighten the passengers were mustered up on deck and told to put on life jackets. The crew inspected the vessel for damage and found a large section of the bow was crushed or had been torn away. On the deck the crew found 5 containers from the Ever Decent on the cruise ship’s deck. The containers held cyanide, but luckily they did not rupture. While severely damaged, the Norwegian Dream remained afloat and was able to reach Dover under its own power. Some 21 passengers suffered minor injuries.
Photo: Ever Decent
The Ever Decent had sustained heavy damage from the collision. Several containers carrying paint on board had caught fire and multiple ballast tanks had been ruptured causing the vessel to develop a 40 degree list. Fire fighting tugs, RNLI lifeboats and Coast Guard vessels were later able to extinguish the blaze, but it required efforts from Dutch and UK fire fighters efforts over several days. Later, the disabled container ship was towed to Zeebrugge.
Photo: Ever Decent
Some passengers remarked they were worried the vessel sank like the 1997 Titanic movie
1999 Collision
1999 Collision
Photo: Ever Decent
Photo: Ever Decent
Photo: Ever Decent
Both vessels were later repaired and went back into service.
The 367 meter long, 142,018 dwt container ship Hong Kong Express collided with the 90 meter long, 3171 dwt cargo vessel BBS Sky off Hollum, Netherlands. Both vessels were proceeding in the same direction and one vessel touched the other while doing an overtaking maneuver. The BBS Sky suffered only slight damage and the Hong Kong Express was undamaged. No reports of injuries or pollution. Authorities were notified of the incident and the vessels were able to proceed on their voyages.
