The 73 meter long general cargo vessel Sea Bird ran aground on the Mediterranean Sea near Antalya, Turkey. The Sea Bird had suffered engine failure in bad weather and dropped anchor. The anchors didn’t hold and the cargo vessel drifted ashore. The 14 crew on board were safely rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard and were later taken to local authorities. Reports state the Sea Bird had departed from Istanbul in ballast before it had suffered engine failure.
The 294 meter long, 63046 dwt container vessel Mol Express ran aground at Tateyama, Chiba, Japan. The Mol Express was en route to Tokyo from Auckland when the boxship suffered engine failure. The boxship was able to enter the harbor and dropped anchor, but the vessel was blown on to nearby shallow waters by strong winds. No reports of injuries to the 25 crew on board. The following day four tugs were unable to refloat the Mol Express on the high tide. No reports of damage or pollution released. Reports state the Mol Express was headed to a shipyard for repairs on its main engine.
The 74 meter long general cargo ship Scanlark became disabled in a gale in the Baltic Sea off Fehmarn Island, Germany. The Scanlark had sustained engine failure and gone adrift. The crew attempted to drop anchor as the vessel drifted closer to Kiel, but the anchor dragged pushed by the strong winds. Two tugs were dispatched from Kiel to take the Scanlark under tow. The tugs were able to attach a towline, but only after the crew were able to lift the anchors. The vessels proceeded safely to Kiel where the Scanlark berthed. No reports of injuries or pollution released.