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Niki

Niki

Niki
Photo: Italian Coast Guard

On the morning of September 11, the 41 meter long, 393 dwt cargo vessel Niki (IMO: 9100968) ran aground on the Mediterranean Sea off Porticello, Sicily. The Niki had departed from Porticello bound for Ténès with a cargo of sea bream when it ran up on the Formica rocks. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage with a 1 meter gash resulting in water ingress, but there were no reports of injuries to the 8 crew on board.

Authorities deployed patrol vessels to the scene. A response team brought dewatering pumps to control the flooding. Divers were able to complete temporary repairs and plug the leaks and refloated the vessel. Reports state the Niki was escorted back to port. The Italian Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

 

 

 

Raffaele Rubatino

Raffaele Rubatino

RAFFAELE RUBATTINO
Photo: shippax.com

On August 10, the 180 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Raffaele Rubatino (IMO: 9144744) caught fire in the Gulf of Naples some 15 miles off Naples, Italy. The Raffaele Rubatino was on a schedule voyage between Palermo to Naples with 155 passengers and undisclosed number of vehicles when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was able to quickly extinguish the blaze, but the fire had damaged the machinery in the engine room.  Unable to navigate the Raffaele Rubatino requested assistance.  Authorities dispatched two tugs to tow the ferry into port while 2 Italian Coast Guard vessels and another ferry were standing by. Authorities had both medical and fire fighting personnel were waiting on the dock when the Raffaele Rubatino finally reached port.

Reports state there were no reports of injuries.

 

Fugro Mercator

Fugro Mercator

Fugro Mercator
Photo: Guardia Costiera

On March 22, the 42 meter long, 360 gt research vessel Fugro Mercator (IMO: 9299977) ran aground in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Portoferraio, Italy. The Fugro Mercator was seeking shelter from bad weather and ventured to close to the island of Elba. The vessel struck a reef just offshore from the rocky cliff shoreline. The vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress. Attempts to contain the flooding by the crew resulted in damaging the vessel’s engine and a total power blackout onboard.

Fugro Mercator
Photo: Guardia Costiera

Authorities deployed a patrol boat from Portoferraio which was able to rescue all the personnel and crew from the Fugro Mercator.  There were no reports of injuries.

The Italian Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the cause of the grounding may be due to issues with the propulsion system or by the strong winds at the time of the incident. The owners have contracted a company to inspect the vessel and provide a salvage plan. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the incident for any signs of pollution released from the vessel.