On September 14, the ferry KM Fungka Permata V caught fire and sank in the Banda Sea off Banggai Island, Indonesia. The ferry had over 120 persons on board when a fire broke out while en route to Banggai. Little details reported about the incident, but some 126 people were rescued. A report states 10 people perished in the blaze and an additional 8 were missing. However, there is confusion to the number of passengers that were actually on board the Fungka Permata V. The manifest states less than 100 passengers which makes the numbers unreliable.
The 64 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Lite Ferry 28 caught fire just outside of Taloot, Cebu, Philippines. The Lite Ferry 28 had departed from Tagbilaran, Bohol bound for Taloot, Cebu with 92 passengers and 29 crew. Just 300 meters off Taloot, a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was unable to contain the blaze and the fire continued to spread through the ferry’s superstructure. Dense black smoke could be spotted along the shoreline as the stern of the Lite Ferry 28 engulfed in flames.
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
The cargo vessel LCT Miami left the docks at Taloot and reached the disabled Lite Ferry 28. The LCT Miami was able to transfer all the passengers and crew safely off the Lite Ferry 28 before returning back to Taloot. The Philippine Coast Guard also arrived on scene a short time later and assisted in extinguishing the fire. The Lite Ferry 28 was later taken under tow to Taloot. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The 36 meter long, 107 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Femøsund ran aground at Femø, Denmark. The ferry was approaching the ferry terminal at Femø when the vessel suffered a steering malfunction. Unable to control the propellers, the master of the Femøsund maneuvered the ferry away from the quay at Femø, but ran aground near by. No reports of injuries to the 7 passengers and 2 crew on board. Everyone on board had to wait a few hours until a search and rescue boat arrived on scene. A tug was also dispatched to pull the Femøsund free. The ferry will undergo repairs and be inspected before going back into service.
