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Tag: Passenger Ferry

Megastar

Megastar

Megastar
Photo: helsinkitimes.fi

Just after midnight on August 12, the 212 meter long, 6080 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Megastar (IMO: 9773064) caught fire in the Gulf of Finland near Helsinki, Finland. The Megastar was just minutes away from berthing in Helsinki when the crew was alerted of a fire on the vehicle deck. The crew discovered that a bus had caught fire and quickly activated the vessel’s sprinkler system which extinguished the blaze.  No reports of injuries to the passengers or crew on board.

Megastar
Photo: yle.fi

Authorities state the bus was removed off the Megastar. The fire did not result in damaging the ferry. Reports state the ferry was back in service the following day on its regular schedule.

 

Raffaele Rubatino

Raffaele Rubatino

RAFFAELE RUBATTINO
Photo: shippax.com

On August 10, the 180 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Raffaele Rubatino (IMO: 9144744) caught fire in the Gulf of Naples some 15 miles off Naples, Italy. The Raffaele Rubatino was on a schedule voyage between Palermo to Naples with 155 passengers and undisclosed number of vehicles when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was able to quickly extinguish the blaze, but the fire had damaged the machinery in the engine room.  Unable to navigate the Raffaele Rubatino requested assistance.  Authorities dispatched two tugs to tow the ferry into port while 2 Italian Coast Guard vessels and another ferry were standing by. Authorities had both medical and fire fighting personnel were waiting on the dock when the Raffaele Rubatino finally reached port.

Reports state there were no reports of injuries.

 

Bali Dolphin Cruise 2

Bali Dolphin Cruise 2

Bali Dolphin Cruise 2
Photo: kabarsdgs.com

On the afternoon of August 5, the passenger ferry Bali Dolphin Cruise 2 capsized in the Bali Sea at the entrance of Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. The Bali Dolphin Cruise 2 was entering the harbour entrance and make a turn to port towards the dock when it was struck by a wave. The passenger ferry lost stability and rolled over. The 73 passengers and 4 crew were able to evacuate the capsized vessel and reach shore. Reports state the many passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. Two passengers perished and 1 crew member was reported as missing. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation looking for the missing crew member.

A point of clarification about Sanur Harbour which should be stated. Sanur Harbour is protected by a breakwater that requires vessels to enter the harbor at its’ northern end.  If the vessel would attempt to enter the harbour too far north from the breakwater, it would require a sharp turn to port which would expose the vessel to waves from the east.