On the afternoon of May 6, the 86 meter long, 750 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Vollsøy (IMO: 9237993) caught fire in North Sea in the port of Mekjarvik, Norway. The fire started in the generator within the Vollsøy‘s engine room. The fire caused lots of dense black smoke forcing the crew to evacuate the vessel. The local fire brigade was called out and were able to extinguish the blaze just a short time later. There were no reports of injuries.
On the afternoon of April 9, the 161 meter long, 17666 dwt container ship Victoria L (IMO: 9430155) caught fire in the North Sea some 56 kilometers off Scheveningen, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room while en route to Rotterdam from Hamburg without cargo. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but their efforts were not successful.
The Victoria L sent out a distress call with the Dutch Coast Guard responding. Multiple boats along with a fix-wing aircraft and 2 helicopters were deployed to assist the container ship. A fire brigade was transported by helicopter to the Victoria L. After a few hours after the fire started, the fire fighters were able to extinguish the blaze.
Reports state the Victoria L was able to regain power and proceeded to Rotterdam escorted by the KNRM. No reports of injuries to the 19 crew on board. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. The incident is under investigation.
On March 29, the 18 meter long tugboat TB Toranes (IMO: 257103600) became disabled in the North Sea off Årabrotholmane, Norway. The TB Toranes was towing a barge when it suffered engine problems and had to drop anchor off Årabrotholmane. The tug requested assistance with the NSSR dispatching the lifeboats Horn Rescue (MMSI: 257641000) and RC Bergesen (MMSI: 257965590). The Horn Rescue took the TB Toranes under tow and proceeded to Haugesund. The RC Bergesen aided by the patrol boat KV Tor (IMO: 9353369) took the barge under tow to Haugesund. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.