On January 2, the 200 meter long, 63301 dwt bulk carrier Madison Eagle became disabled on the Marmara Sea while heading for Tuzla from Iskenderun. The vessel had suffered a mechanical failure and the crew was unable to restore propulsion. Authorities dispatched the tugboat KEGM Kurtarma-3 to the scene and took the Madison Eagle under tow. The vessels proceeded to an anchorage off Tuzla, Turkey. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 180 meter long container ship Maersk Vilnius caught fire in the Caribbean Sea off Guadeloupe while en route to South Africa. The fire started in the engine room causing damage to the main engine resulting in a power black out. The crew requested assistance with the tug Alp Defender responding. The tug took the Maersk Vilnius under tow and proceeded to Panama for repairs. The crew was able to restore power to several refrigerated containers on board. No reports of injuries to 22 crew on board.
On March 29, the 164 meter long, 16038 dwt tanker Varzuga became disabled in the Gulf of Ob in the Barents Sea off Russia. The Varzuga had suffered a breakdown with its steering while in ice. The tanker requested assistance with the icebreakers 160 meter long 50 Let Pobedy and 150 meter long Vaygach responding. Both ice breakers were able to clear a path and the Vaygach took the Varzuga under tow until the tanker was clear of the ice. The tug Umka took over the tow and the vessels proceeded to Murmansk. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
