On January 27, the 143 meter long reefer Santa Lucia ran aground in Delaware Bay near Miah Maull Shoal. The Santa Lucia was bound for Philadelphia with fresh produce when it struck a rocky shoal. No injuries, damage or pollution released. The Santa Lucia was later refloated under its own power and proceeded to a nearby anchorage where it was inspected for damage. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On September 26, the 320 foot long ferry Delaware caught fire while berthed at Cape May, New Jersey. The fire started in the ferry’s engine room by an ember in one of the exhaust stacks. The night watch engineer discovered the fire and alerted local authorities. The local fire department along with Coast Guard fire boats were able to extinguish the fire within two hours. The two crew on board were able to escape blaze unharmed. There were no passengers on board at the time. The ferry serves a route across Delaware Bay between Cape May and Lewes, Delaware.
The fishing vessel Viking II sank near Cape May, New Jersey. The fishing vessel began to leak quickly overwhelming the vessel’s pumps. The crew requested assistance with the Coast Guard dispatching a helicopter to the scene. The helicopter lowered a dewatering pump to the Viking II. However, the pump could not keep up with the water ingress. A second pump was dropped to the vessel, but the crew was unable to recover it. A nearby fishing vessel arrived on scene and safely evacuated the three crew. The men were later transferred to a cutter who returned them to shore. No signs of pollution reported.
