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Tag: Passenger Ferry

Petar Hektorović

Petar Hektorović

Petar Hektorović
Photo: net.hr

On the morning of July 7, the 91 meter long, 804 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Petar Hektorović (IMO: 8702446) allided in the Adriatic Sea at the port of Split, Croatia. The Petar Hektorović had gone adrift as its mooring lines snapped during a severe storm. The strong winds and blinding rain quickly pushed the ferry through the harbour in Split.  The Petar Hektorović would minutes later strike a moored 47.5 meter long, 84 dwt catamaran passenger ship Krilo (IMO: 9500493) before striking the nearby tourist passenger ship 43.5 meter long Kruna Mora. The tourist boat was severely damaged by the allision and would later sink.  The master of the Petar Hektorović would drop both of its anchors to keep the ferry from causing any further damage.

Local fire brigade along with emergency personnel arrived on scene and found there were no injuries and no pollution released. Fire fighters placed booms around the sunken Kruna Mora to contain any pollution released. The full extent of damage to the Petar Hektorović  and the Krilo was not disclosed, but the ferry showed a visible gash along the hull above the waterline along with some hull damage to the stern. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Collision off Lucena City

Collision off Lucena City

Peñafrancia VI
Photo: Philippines Coast Guard

On the morning of July 3, the fishing vessel Sr. Fernando II collided with the ro-ro passenger ferry Peñafrancia VI in Tayabas Bay off the port of Lucena, Quezon, Philippines. The two vessels collided head-on resulting in damage to the Peñafrancia VI‘s starboard section of the bow and ramp. The Sr. Fernando II also sustained bow damage. There were no injuries to the 82 passengers and 18 crew on the ferry and the 16 crew on the fishing vessel.  No pollution was released.

The Philippine Coast Guard were alerted and ordered the Peñafrancia VI back to port. The Coast Guard then assisted having all passengers and vehicles off the ferry while the Peñafrancia VI was inspected for damage. An investigation found the fishing vessel had made an error with steering causing it to turn towards the approaching ferry. Reports state the owners of the vessels have settled over the costs from the incident.

 

Tunu Pratama Jaya

Tunu Pratama Jaya

Tunu Pratama Jaya
Photo: Bali Search and Rescue

On the night of July 2, the 63 meter long, 955 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tunu Pratama Jaya (IMO: 8749432) sank in the Bali Strait off Ketapang Port, Indonesia. The ferry was making a regular crossing between Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Port, Bali when it suffered water ingress in the engine room. The flooding could not be contained and the Tunu Pratama Jaya suffered a total power blackout a few minutes later.  Adrift and being pulled by the strong currents, the ferry rolled in rough seas. The Tunu Pratama Jaya continued to roll until it finally lost stability allowing water to rush over its decks causing the ferry to capsize and sink in the middle of the strait.

The Tunu Pratama Jaya was able to send out a distress call with another ferry the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya 3888 responding. Unfortunately, the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya 3888 was unable to evacuate passengers or crew before the ferry sank. The Indonesian Navy, local water police and several volunteers began a search and operation looking for survivors in the water. Authorities report that 35 survivors were pulled from the water along with 6 bodies recovered.

The Tunu Pratama Jaya had listed to have 53 passengers and 12 crew on board, but this number may not match to the total who were on board during the incident.   Reports state that rough seas with waves of 2 meters have hampered search efforts.

Witness accounts stated the vessel was rolling badly before it finally capsized. These accounts stated that the vessel did not attempt to distribute life jackets before it sank. One account stated the passengers swam free of the ferry and found several life jackets in the water before being rescued by a local fisherman. The exact cause of the water ingress is still under investigation by authorities. Reports states that authorities halted the search and rescue operations later on July 3.