On the morning of December 11, the 30 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Ternen (IMO: 7024641) allided in Skagerrak Sea at Herføl, Norway. The Ternen was approaching the dock at Herføl when it suffered a technical fault causing the ferry to be unable to slowdown. The ferry continued forward until it struck a building next to the pier. Due the high tide, the Ternen drove further into the building damaging walls and the ceiling of the structure. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the 5 crew and 7 passengers on board the ferry.
Photo: nrk.no
Photo: nrk.no
photo: vg.no
photo: vg.no
photo: vg.no
The extent of damage to the Ternen was not disclosed. Authorities were alerted by news reports and dispatched a team to investigate the incident. Reports state the incident was “undramatic” and that no individual was in any danger. The ferry was taken out of service until further notice. News accounts state the building struck was the “old post office” and was currently used as a seasonal shop.
On the evening of December 7, the 44 meter long ro-ro passenger cable ferry Regina Fluminium 2 (MMSI: 244830776) became disabled on the Nederrijn River near Eck en Wiel, Netherlands. The Regina Fluminium 2 had been dislodged when an inland vessel allided with the ferry’s cables. Damage to the cables caused the ferry to be rudderless. Authorities were alerted and assisted getting the ferry moored to the Amerongen side of the river. There the few vehicles and passengers were disembarked. No reports of injuries.
Reports state the ferry was taken out of service while the cables could be repaired. There was no damage to the ferry and no pollution was released. The name of the inland vessel which struck the cables was not disclosed.
On the evening of November 19, the 170 meter long, 6499 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Queen Jenuvia II (IMO: 9901386) ran aground in the Yellow Sea near the uninhabited island of Jokdo and Jangsan Island in the southwestern edge of South Korea. The Queen Jenuvia II had departed from Jeju with 267 passengers and crew bound for Mokpo. As the vessel approached the area off Jangsan Island, the vessel struck a rocky outcrop. The grounding caused the vessel’s main engines to power down and caused a 15 degree list to port, but there was no reports of flooding.
Authorities were alerted and dispatched all possible resources to rescue passengers off the Queen Jenuvia II. The Coast Guard dispatched 17 patrol boats, 4 coastal rescue vessels, and 1 aircraft which arrived an hour later. After 3 hours, all 246 passengers would be safely rescued off the ferry. The 21 crew members would remain onboard to assist with towing operations. Twenty-seven passengers had suffered minor injuries and would be taken to hospital for treatment.
Photo: chosun.com
The ferry would later be pulled free and towed to a nearby port. An inspection found the ferry had sustained significant hull damage with part of the bow crushed. The full extent of damage has not yet been released.
According to initial investigation by authorities, the South Korean Coast Guard identified the cause of the grounding. The ferry was left on autopilot in an area requiring manual operation. The officer handling navigation was reported to be distracted by their mobile phone at the time of the incident. The Coast Guard stated the navigation would be typically handled by the first officer who was not on the bridge nor the master at the time of the incident. There are plans to purse criminal charges against those found responsible for operational negligence.
