On September 1, the 27 meter long fishing vessel Mersey became disabled off Egersund, Norway. The trawler requested assistance with the NSSR lifeboat responding. The lifeboat took the Mersey under tow and proceeded to Egersund. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On September 1, the 105 meter long passenger ship Seadream 1 caught fire in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Palinuro near Naples, Italy. The fire started in the cruise ship’s engine room causing a power blackout and leaving the vessel adrift. Authorities were alerted and multiple patrol boats along with a ferry were diverted to the scene. All 105 passengers and a large number of the 61 crew were evacuated safely. No reports of injuries. The Seadream 1 was later taken under tow to Partenopeo by tugs. No reports of pollution released.
On August 20, the 90 meter long, 4156 dwt cargo vessel Alfa became disabled off Yeosu, South Korea. The Alfa was en route to China from Nakhodka with a cargo of timber when it encountered heavy seas in the Korea Strait. The timber cargo on board the Alfa shifted causing the cargo vessel to develop a heavy list of 45 degrees. With the vessel in danger of capsizing, the crew requested assistance. The South Korean Coast Guard responded and was able to safely evacuate all 15 crew on board. No reports of injuries.
The abandoned Alfa drifted with the heavy seas before it ran aground between Jeju and Tsushima Island. Reports state part of the timber cargo has fallen overboard posing a potential hazard to vessels in the area.
