On April 9, the 350 meter long, 120853 dwt container ship CMA CGM Pelleas (IMO: 9365788) ran aground in the English Channel at Southampton, England. The CMA CGM Pelleas was departing from its berth in Southampton bound for Rotterdam when it made a navigation error and nearly struck a retaining wall, but instead ran aground just short of the wall.
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Harbour tugs were able to quickly pull the container ship free and escort the vessel to a berth. There were no reports of injuries. The CMA CGM Pelleas is to be inspected for any damage from the incident. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation into the incident.
On the morning of March 10, the 140 meter long, 9322 dwt container ship Solong (IMO: 9322554) allided with the 183 meter long, 49729 dwt tanker Stena Immaculate (IMO: 9693018) in the North Sea some 10 nautical miles off the Humber estuary near Hull, Lincolnshire, England. The Solong was en route to Rotterdam from Grangemouth, Scotland when it struck the port hull amidships of the Stena Immaculate which was at anchor. Both vessels sustained major damage with the tanker having its tanks ruptured and releasing jet fuel into the sea. After the allision, reports state there were several explosions and fire engulfed the tanker. Observers stated that fuel spilt into the sea has caught fire as well. The crews from both vessels have evacuated and there were conflicting reports of casualties and crew men injured. Latest report states all crew were rescued from both vessels with one crew member injured (subject to be updated later).
UK Authorities dispatched multiple fire fighting vessels aided by the RNLI who launched four lifeboats to the scene. The HM Coastguard
The Stena Immaculate was loaded with jet fuel bound for one of the United States Army military bases located in the United Kingdom. UK Authorities have not released the cause of the allision at this time. Some news accounts suggest the Solong was on autopilot at the time and the vessel never changed course before it struck the tanker. There is speculation that the container ship failed to maintain a proper watch as weather was not a factor in the allision. UK authorities continue to investigate as the situation is ongoing.
On March 2, the 82 meter long, 1842 dwt cargo vessel H&S Wisdom (IMO: 9195559) ran aground on the Humber estuary in northern England. The H&S Wisdom was headed for the Gunness Wharf on the River Trent when the vessel made a navigational error and ended up high and dry on the mud flats. The Humber Rescue lifeboat was called out and attempted to pull the H&S Wisdom free, but were unsuccessful.
A second attempt was made the following morning. Three tugs had arrived on scene and attempted to pull the H&S Wisdom free, but they were also unsuccessful. A third attempt was made later that evening with the rising tide and it also ended in failure. Local authorities state the cargo vessel is firmly “stuck in the mud” and the vessel might be stuck there until the maximum spring tides in April.
Photo: Humber Rescue
Photo: Humber Rescue
Photo: Humber Rescue
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: Humber Rescue
Photo: Humber Rescue
Photo: facebook
The H&S Wisdom was designed to navigate shallow water with a draught of just 11 feet. However, an aerial inspection found the vessel is quite a distance away from water deep enough to allow it to be refloated. Authorities did state there were no injuries and no pollution has been released.
