The high speed ferry Wahana Empat suffered an explosion just shortly after leaving port off Senggigi, Lambok, Indonesia. The ferry was loaded with 129 passengers bound for Bali and reached 10 miles off the port of Senggigi when the blast occurred. Some 19 people were injured with some with broken bones. All on board were safely evacuated by authorities to Senggigi. The cause of the explosion was not yet known.
The 110 meter long, 1215 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Schulpengat caught fire while off Den Helder, Netherlands. The fire started in a 400-volt switch in a control room below deck. Crew spotted the smoke and quickly cut electricity to the switch. The crew then pumped CO2 into the space which quickly stopped the smoke. Local authorities were alerted to the situation and two tugs accompanied the ferry back to port. All passengers were safely unloaded and no reports of panic on board during the incident. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Reports state the ferry was taken out of service for further investigation and repairs.
On May 13, the high speed ferry Starcraft 9 collided with the cargo vessel Our Lady of Faith of Medallion off Talisay City, Philippines. The Starcraft 9 was proceeding to Tubigon with 262 passengers and 15 crew when it struck the larger cargo vessel. No reports to injuries to the passengers, but the chief engineer fell overboard after the collision. He was pulled from the water by his fellow crewmen and later taken to hospital. Later reports stated the chief engineer did not recover from his injuries and perished. The Our Lady of Faith of Medallion was undamaged and had no injuries on board. The Starcraft 9 proceeded to Cebu City. The Philippine Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.