On the night of November 10, a ferry (name not disclosed) sank on the Mahakam River near Ujoh Halang in Long Iram district, West Kutai, Indonesia. The ferry was headed to a pier of a palm oil plantation loaded with 28 passengers and sacks of cement. Authorities state that ferry was overloaded and there was a strong current at the time of the sinking. Rescuers were able to save 20 of the 28 passengers. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the evening of June 16, the 27 meter long catamaran passenger ferry Melita (IMO: 8517413) sank on the Adriatic Sea off Zadar, Croatia. The Melita was carrying 38 passengers bound for Zadar when waves or an unidentified object struck the ferry resulting in a large crack in the one of the hulls. The crack allowed uncontrolled water ingress into the port hull and the vessel quickly began to sink.
Fortunately, the Melita was just minutes away from the port of Zadar. Authorities dispatched the 87 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Jadran (IMO: 8517413) to assist. The Jadran was able to safely transfer the 38 passengers and 5 crew off the Melita via life rafts. The rescued were later transported to the nearby port of Gaženica. No reports of injuries.
On the afternoon of May 6, the 86 meter long, 750 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Vollsøy (IMO: 9237993) caught fire in North Sea in the port of Mekjarvik, Norway. The fire started in the generator within the Vollsøy‘s engine room. The fire caused lots of dense black smoke forcing the crew to evacuate the vessel. The local fire brigade was called out and were able to extinguish the blaze just a short time later. There were no reports of injuries.