On the evening of July 20, the 13 meter long NSSR rescue boat Bjarne Kyrkjebø (MMSI: 258150500) was dispatched to assist a vessel in distress off Austevoll, Norway. The vessel (name was not disclosed) had sent out a distress call that it had suffered water ingress and needed assistance. The two crew onboard were later rescued with no injuries. The Bjarne Kyrkjebø assisted in dewatering the vessel with pumps. The vessel was later towed to shore. No reports of damage or pollution released.
On the night of July 7, the 16 meter long fishing vessel Ho Bugt – E4 (MMSI: 219001695) ran aground in the North Sea at Houstrup Beach, Denmark. The fishing vessel was fishing for shrimp when it ran ashore on the beach. The fishing vessel requested assistance with the 20 meter long, 19 gt DSRS lifeboat Emile Robin (IMO: 8717439) responding. The lifeboat attempted to pull the trawler off the beach in vain for nearly ten hours, but the Ho Bugt – E4 remained firmly stuck. A local salvage company arrived on site as reports there was water ingress into the trawler’s engine room. Pumps were placed to keep the vessel dry.
Photo: jv.dk
Photo: jv.dk
Photo: jv.dk
Photo: fiskerforum.dk
Photo: fiskerforum.dk
Photo: tvsyd.dk
On the morning of July 9, the salvage team began clearing sand away from the Ho Bugt – E4. The 27 meter long, 200 dwt tug Skinfaxe R (IMO: 9563213) arrived around noon to free the fishing vessel. With the rising tide, the tugboat was able to pull free the trawler. Reports state there was no major damage to the trawler. Authorities inspected the vessel and found no pollution has been released. The cause of the grounding has not been disclosed.
On the morning of June 27, the 120 meter long, 8184 dwt bulk carrier Altay (IMO: 9349992) caught fire in the North Sea while berthed at Kingston-upon-Hull, England. The fire started in the cargo hold that was loaded with 3500 tons of scrap metal. Large gray plumes of smoke enveloped the bulk carrier which forced an evacuation of the crew. The local fire brigade was called out with five fire engines involved in extinguishing the blaze. Nearby residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as smoke spread through out the city. No reports of injuries.
Fire fighters stated it would take some time to completely extinguish the blaze. Witnesses reported there were still thick smoke with a smell of burning rubber in the area 5 hours after the blaze had started. Authorities have stated getting access to the area in the hold where the fire was not feasible. Thus, the fire brigade is unloading the burning scrap onto the quay where it would be extinguished. This operation went all day into early the next morning until the fire was finally extinguished. Crews remain on site just in case the fire would reignite again.
Photo: independent.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: bbc.co.uk
Photo: itv.com
Photo: express.co.uk
There has been no reports of the extent of damage to the Altay or to the cargo of scrap. UK authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
