Passenger Ship - Shipwreck Log

Whale boat disabled off Massachusetts

July 28, 2014 Paul Hancock

Photo: nationalpost.com

The 83 foot long passenger ship Cetacea became disabled while off Nahant, Massachusetts. The whale watching ship was on a 3 hour trip with 157 passengers and 6 crew when it’s propeller got caught on a mooring cable. The vessel requested assistance with the Coast Gurad dispatching the cutters Tybee and Escanaba to the scene. Divers were brought to the scene, but were unable to detach the cable. Unable to free the vessel from the line, the Coast Guard attempted to transfer the passengers off the Cetacea. Those attempts failed due to rough seas. Passengers remained on board overnight until the following morning when divers were able to cut the passenger ship free. Later investigation found the mooring line was from a lobster trap. No reports of damage or pollution released. Reports state many passengers suffered seasickness with several requiring medical attention.

No Luck Aboard Casino Ship Escapade

July 16, 2014 Paul Hancock

On her maiden voyage, the 174 foot long casino passenger ship Escapade ran aground off Tybee Island in the Calibogue Sound near Hilton Head, South Carolina. The Escapade’s crew reported to the Coast Guard that its chart plotter had suffered a malfunction before it ran onto the rocks. Passengers reported that they felt the vessel strike something, but were not notified of the grounding until several hours later. No reports of injuries to the 96 passengers and 27 crew on board. Passengers remained on board overnight and many had to be ferried back to land by coast guard vessels. A few passengers had to be airlifted off the Escapade who could not climb down the rope ladder. Attempts to pull the Escapade free failed as tow ropes broke. No reports of damage or pollution released.

ABC News | ABC Sports News

200 Foot Casino Boat RUNS AGROUND In Georgia (thecount.com)
Casino boat stuck on sandbar off Tybee Island with 123 aboard (savannahnow.com)

Maranta

June 25, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 172 meter long self-propelled barge Maranta I and the barge Maranta II went aground on the Rhine near Cologne, Germany. The vessel attempted to refloat itself, the two vessels seperated. The Maranta II drifted and collided with the 103 meter long passenger ship River Cloud 2. The River Cloud 2 suffered minor scrapes and bent radar. Traffic halted on the river until a dredger arrived on scene and lightered some cargo. The Maranta was en route from Bonn with a cargo of soy. No reports of injuries or pollution released.