The 84 meter long, 575 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hjelmeland allided with the dock at Hjelmeland, Norway. The ferry had failed to slow down when it struck the ferry dock. No reports of injuries. The pier sustained signficant damage and the vehicles on board could not be unloaded. The ferry proceeded to Nesvik where the vehicles were taken off. A speed ferry was brought in to replace the Hjelmeland.
An overloaded double-decked ferry carrying tourists capsized and sank off Lan Island, Thailand. The ferry left Lan Island with 200 people on board bound for Pattaya. Shortly after the vessel left port, the ferry suffered engine problems. Fumes and exhaust from the engine forced passengers from the lower deck onto the second deck. The ferry soon lost stability and capsized onto its side before sinking. Passengers and crew had to cling onto coolers and other floatsam until rescuers came to their aid. The ferry did not have enough life vests on board for the number of people on board. Rescuers were able to save over 190 people, but six passengers perished. Several others suffered injuries with one child in critical condition at a nearby hospital. Authorities report that the ferry was operating over its capacity. The vessel was only allowed to have 130 to 150 passengers. Authorities are looking for the master of the ferry
The 141 meter long, 4035 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Ant 2 caught fire in the Black Sea off Sevastopol, Ukraine. The fire started on the vehicle deck while the ferry was en route to Zonguldak, Turkey from Skadovsk, Ukraine. The Ant 2 changed course and headed to Sevastopol while the crew attempted to extinguish the blaze. The vessel arrived at Sevastopol a short time later under her own power and the fire was extinguished. No reports of injuries to the 68 passengers or to the crew on board. Six of the 68 vehicles on board were destroyed in the fire. No pollution reported.
