On September 8, the 25 meter long passenger ship Jewel caught fire on the East River near Governors Island, New York. While on a cruise with 90 passengers and 4 crew, a fire started in the vessel’s engine room. The crew alerted authorities who dispatched several rescue vessels to the scene. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the vessel and transported to lower Manhattan. No reports of injuries. Reports state the fire was later extinguished and the vessel was taken under tow back to port. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The 186 meter long, 26735 dwt bulk carrier Mandarin became disabled on the St. Lawrence River near Massena, New York. The Mandarin was proceeding upstream from Montreal bound for Toronto when it suffered engine failure. The crew was able to maintain control of the vessel, but the vessel had to berth at the Eisenhower Lock to make repairs. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The tanker-barge RTC 150 being pushed by the 38 meter long, 195 dwt towboat Meredith C. Reinauer ran aground on the Hudson River near Catskill, New York. The tanker-barge, loaded with 2.5 million gallons of gasoline, had run onto the rocks some 30 feet from the navigation channel in 6 feet of water. No reports of injuries.
Local and state authorities along with the Coast Guard arrived on scene. While no signs of pollution being released, authorities decided that the cargo of gasoline should be lightered onto another tanker-barge before any attempts to refloat the RTC 150. The lighter operations were completed later the same day. The Coast Guard then inspected the RTC 15o for damage.
With no signs of damage and no pollution released, the RTC 150 was refloated. The barge was towed to Albany where it will undergo further inspection.
Reports state the cause of the grounding may be due to the foggy weather. However, the report also states the Meredith C. Reinauer was enabled with GPS navigation.
State authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
