On the evening of February 21, the 88 meter long, 1460 dwt cargo vessel Birgit G (IMO: 9536064) became disabled on the North Sea off Westerhever, Germany. The vessel had suffered engine problems and dropped anchor to undergo repairs. After completing repairs, the crew requested the DGzRS to escort the cargo vessel to Büsum in case of another engine breakdown. The DGzRS deployed the search and rescue vessel Theodor Storm out of Büsum and proceeded to escort the Birgit G to port. Around 3:30 a.m. on February 22, the vessels were just 5.4 nautical miles off Büsum when the Birgit G main engine failed. The Birgit G was able to drop it’s anchor again. Later the Theodor Storm proceeded to transport technicians and inspectors to the Birgit G to assist in repairs. Reports state a tug towed the Birgit G into port the next day. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On November 26, the 22 meter long, 61 gt fishing vessel Samantha (MMSI: 219002838) ran aground off the island of Rømø, Denmark. The DSRS dispatched two lifeboats while the DGzRS dispatched a vessel to the scene later the same day. The lifeboats initial attempts to pull the Samantha free were unsuccessful. It would not be until the following morning on November 27 when the lifeboats were able to refloat the trawler. The Samantha was able to proceed safely to Havneby. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the morning of October 11, the 73 meter long, 1646 dwt tanker Annika caught fire while in the Baltic Sea several kilometers off Kühlungsborn, Germany. The tanker, loaded with 640 tons of crude oil, had departed from Rostock bound for Travemünde when a fire broke out on the vessel. The fire released out large plumes of dense black smoke and spread over the superstructure.
The Annika sent out a distress call with authorities dispatching a DGzRS rescue boat to the scene. The rescue boat Wilma Sikorski arrived a short time later and rescued all seven crew off the tanker. Some of the Annika crew sustained slight injuries and taken to hospital.
Photo: DGzRS
Additional vessels arrived on scene to conduct firefighting including the DGzRS vessel Arkona and tug Baltic along with the fireboat Albert Wegener and several water police vessels. These vessels doused the tanker with water bringing the fire under control on deck, but were unable to extinguish the blaze completely below deck. The Annika was taken under tow by two salvage tugboats to Rostock where the local fire brigade would continue the effort. Reports state fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the blaze the following day.
Authorities have blocked access to the vessel as they conduct an investigation. Divers did inspect the hull for heat damage while an oil boom was placed around the the Annika to contain any pollution released. Initial reports state the fire engulfed the entire stern of the vessel severely damaging the engine room and destroying the tanker’s lifeboat. Conflicting reports state the fire may have started in the vessel’s paint room or possibly the engine room. The cargo tanks were reported to be intact and were not involved with the fire.
