England - Shipwreck Log

Fluvius Tamar

January 14, 2017 Paul Hancock

The 90 meter long, 4200 dwt cargo vessel Fluvius Tamar sank in the North Sea off the coast of Ramsgate, England. The Fluvius Tamar was en route from Eemshaven, Netherlands with 3,800 tonnes of magnesium oxide bound for Pasajes, Spain. As the vessel passed some 30 miles off the coast, the Fluvius Tamar ran into difficulty. The cargo vessel was in strong northwesterly gale when it began to take on water. The vessel sent out a distress call that it was flooding rapidly and needed assistance.

Collision off Immingham

December 7, 2015 Paul Hancock

On December 3, the 140 meter long, 5000 dwt car carrier City of Rotterdam collided with the 200 meter long, 10,407 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Primula Seaways on the Humber near Immingham, England. The Primula Seaways was coming from Rotterdam with 25 persons in bad weather with strong winds and heavy rains. As it approached the Humber, the Primula Seaways struck head-on with the City of Rotterdam.

The City of Rotterdam sustained extensive damage to its portside bow. The car carrier had a 40 foot long breach over multiple decks and a notable crack in the hull. No reports of injuries on either vessel.

https://youtu.be/-tjkxMFMTzg

The Primula Seaways proceeded to Killinghome Haven while the City of Rotterdam berthed in Immingham. Authorities have detained both vessels and launched an investigation into the incident. The cause of the collision has not yet been reported.

Recurring Nightmare: 1999 Collision of Norwegian Dream

October 30, 2015 Paul Hancock

On August 24, 1999, the 230 meter long, 6731 dwt passenger cruise ship Norwegian Dream collided with the 294 meter long, 55527 dwt container ship Ever Decent in the English Channel. Around 1:15 a.m., the Norwegian Dream was en route to Dover, England from Zeebrugge, Belgium with 2,400 passengers when it struck the Ever Decent four miles southeast of the Falls Head Buoy. Passengers awoke hearing a loud bang and cruise ship shaking violently.

Frighten the passengers were mustered up on deck and told to put on life jackets. The crew inspected the vessel for damage and found a large section of the bow was crushed or had been torn away. On the deck the crew found 5 containers from the Ever Decent on the cruise ship’s deck. The containers held cyanide, but luckily they did not rupture. While severely damaged, the Norwegian Dream remained afloat and was able to reach Dover under its own power. Some 21 passengers suffered minor injuries.

The Ever Decent had sustained heavy damage from the collision. Several containers carrying paint on board had caught fire and multiple ballast tanks had been ruptured causing the vessel to develop a 40 degree list. Fire fighting tugs, RNLI lifeboats and Coast Guard vessels were later able to extinguish the blaze, but it required efforts from Dutch and UK fire fighters efforts over several days. Later, the disabled container ship was towed to Zeebrugge.