On October 17, the 141 meter long, 12193 dwt container ship Peyton Lynn C (IMO: 9295531) allided with the lock wall on the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Peyton Lynn C was headed for Fredericia from Hamburg when it entered the new south lock at . While moored in the lock, the boxship struck the wall in the lock. The vessel remained detained for an hour while the incident was investigated and found no significant damage. The Peyton Lynn C was allowed to proceed on with its voyage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the afternoon of October 16, the 38 meter long ro-ro ferry Breitling (MMSI: 211624750) allided with the ferry dock on the Warnow River at Hohe Düne, Germany. The Breitling had made the four minute crossing from Warnemünde loaded with passengers and vehicles when it suffered engine failure as it approached the dock at Hohe Düne. Unable to slow down, the ferry struck the dock was some force. One person on board was seriously injured along with two others who were only slightly injured. All three were taken to hospital for treatment.
The Breitling was taken out of service for repairs while the water police conducted an investigation into the incident. Reports state the ferry was cleared to resume service later that evening after completing a test run. Authorities have stated the engine failure was due to a technical error. Reports did not include if the Breitling sustained damage or if any pollution was released from the incident.
On the morning of October 11, the 73 meter long, 1646 dwt tanker Annika caught fire while in the Baltic Sea several kilometers off Kühlungsborn, Germany. The tanker, loaded with 640 tons of crude oil, had departed from Rostock bound for Travemünde when a fire broke out on the vessel. The fire released out large plumes of dense black smoke and spread over the superstructure.
The Annika sent out a distress call with authorities dispatching a DGzRS rescue boat to the scene. The rescue boat Wilma Sikorski arrived a short time later and rescued all seven crew off the tanker. Some of the Annika crew sustained slight injuries and taken to hospital.
Photo: DGzRS
Additional vessels arrived on scene to conduct firefighting including the DGzRS vessel Arkona and tug Baltic along with the fireboat Albert Wegener and several water police vessels. These vessels doused the tanker with water bringing the fire under control on deck, but were unable to extinguish the blaze completely below deck. The Annika was taken under tow by two salvage tugboats to Rostock where the local fire brigade would continue the effort. Reports state fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the blaze the following day.
Authorities have blocked access to the vessel as they conduct an investigation. Divers did inspect the hull for heat damage while an oil boom was placed around the the Annika to contain any pollution released. Initial reports state the fire engulfed the entire stern of the vessel severely damaging the engine room and destroying the tanker’s lifeboat. Conflicting reports state the fire may have started in the vessel’s paint room or possibly the engine room. The cargo tanks were reported to be intact and were not involved with the fire.