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Tag: Ferry

Ierapetra L

Ierapetra L

Ierapetra L
Photo: lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it

On November 29, the 139 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Ierapetra L caught fire off Brindisi, Italy.  The ferry had just departed from Brindisi bound for Bari with 23 crew on board when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room.  The crew attempted to douse the blaze, but were unable to control it.  The crew requested assistance with nearby vessels responding.  With assistance, the fire was finally extinguished by the on board fire supression system.  The Ierapetra L turned back to port escorted by three patrol boats. No reports of injuries.  The ferry sustained significant damage to the engine room and had visible signs of heat damage to the hull.

Åfjord

Åfjord

Åfjord
Photo: finnmarkdagblad.no

The 63 meter long ro-ro ferry Åfjord ran aground at Finneset, Norway. The Åfjord was en route between Øksfjord and Hasvik when it ran onto the rocks.  The ferry developed a list and some oil pollution was released.  No reports of injuries to the 11 passengers and 4 crew on board, but the first mate had become ill and required medical assistance. Authorities dispatched a Sea King helicopter, two lifeboats and a tug to the scene.  The 11 passengers were safely taken ashore and were transferred to a bus.  The Åfjord went aground at high tide which may complicate salvage efforts. The cause of the grounding was not reported.

Aground on Yenisei River

Aground on Yenisei River

Ferry aground on Yenisei River
Photo: siberiantimes.com

On November 25, a ferry ran aground on the Yenisei River some 300 kilometers north of Krasnoyarsk, Russia.  The ferry with 70 passengers and 30 vehicles had become stuck in shallow water during the evening with the temperature reaching only minus 30 Celsius.  Two towboats, the Angara and Otradny, were alerted to stranding and proceeded to the scene. The vessels attempted to refloat the ferry, but the ferry remained stuck several hours later. Passengers initially refused the warmth of their vehicles, but agreed to leave as the ferry remained stuck during the night.  Passengers were taken to Strelka for the night. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.  Typically, the Yenisei River would be frozen over, but the dam at Krasnoyarsk allows navigation to remain open longer even in extremely low temperatures.