Browsed by
Tag: Passenger Ferry

KM Barcelona VA

KM Barcelona VA

KM Barcelona 5
Photo: liputan6.com

On the afternoon of July 20, the passenger ferry KM Barcelona VA (MMSI: 525301973) caught fire in the Celebes Sea off the northern coast of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The KM Barcelona VA departed from the Talaud Islands headed for Manado with approximately 300 passengers when a fire broke out in the upper deck of the ferry.  Thick black smoke billowed out of the superstructure as fire spread through out the vessel. Both crew and passengers were forced to jump into sea as the fire gutted the ferry.

The Indonesian Navy, Coast Guard and local fishermen all engaged in a search and rescue mission looking for survivors. Reports state that 284 people were rescued along the 5 bodies were recovered. Authorities continued to search for survivors as the total number of passengers and crew was not known.

Last report stated the KM Barcelona VA remained afloat after the fire was extinguished and would be taken under tow.  Authorities have not reported the cause of the fire. News reports state the KM Barcelona VA had been delayed prior to its scheduled departure. There is some speculation the ferry was not in working order when it left port.

 

Yavuz Naz

Yavuz Naz

Yavuz Naz
Photo: raillynews.com

On the afternoon of July 13, the 70 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Yavuz Naz (MMSI: 271001176) caught fire on the Sea of Marmara near Marmara Island, Turkey. The ferry was headed to Tekirdağ from Marmara Island with 207 passengers and crew along with 70 vehicles when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was able to respond quickly and smoke billowed out of the engine vents onto the vehicle deck.  The crew isolated the fire to the engine room filled with smoke. This action did contain the blaze from spreading to other parts of the ferry, but it also forced the main engine to be shutdown.

Authorities were alerted with multiple vessels responding.  The KEGM dispatched 2 lifeboats while the port authorities dispatched 4 tugs to the scene. Two ferries also responded to the aid of the Yavuz Naz. While the KEGM lifeboats started cooling the hull, the Yavuz Naz was taken under tow by the ferry Öz Kaptan 1.  The vessels proceeded to Marmara Island where passengers and vehicles were safely disembarked. There were no reports of injuries.

Reports state the fire was contained and extinguished. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Déjà vu allision with the Delphin XII

Déjà vu allision with the Delphin XII

Delphin XII - July 8
Photo: expressen.se

On the morning of July 8, the 30 meter long passenger ferry Delphin XII (MMSI: 265609580) allided in the Baltic Sea with a quay at Nacka Strand near Stockholm, Sweden. The Delphin XII was headed to Nacka Strand to pick up more passengers for a voyage to Fjäderholma.  As the ferry approached quay, it failed to reverse engines and struck the quay at full speed.  Five of the 160 passengers on board the Delphin XII were slightly injured from the incident. Nacka authorities dispatched police and emergency personnel to the scene.  The injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment while police investigate the incident.  Authorities are looking into if there was a technical fault or another cause for the crash. The police are treating the incident as a criminal investigation into the negligence in maritime traffic and causing bodily harm.

This wasn’t the first time for the ferry Delphin XII to have an allision at Nacka Strand.  On June 20, the Delphin XII was making a plan stop at Nacka Strand to pickup additional passengers for a voyage to Fjäderholma. As the ferry approached the quay, it suffered rudder failure and drove into an outdoor cafe. There were over 200 persons on board at the time of the incident. The ferry was taken out of service and the passengers would be transported later using another ferry.  No reports of injuries.

Delphin XII - June 20
Photo: aftonbladet.se