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Tag: Ro-Ro

El Venizelos

El Venizelos

El Venizelos
Photo: meaculpa.gr

On August 29, the 175 meter long, 5351 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry El Venizelos caught fire off Piraeus, Greece. The El Venizelos was headed to Chania from Piraeus with various vehicles along with 875 passengers and 141 crew.  Some 30 miles off Piraeus, a vehicle caught fire which spewed out dense black smoke.  The ferry’s fire suppression system was able to contain the blaze quickly, but many compartments were filled with smoke.  The El Venizelos returned to Piraeus where passengers were safely evacuated and fire fighters extinguished the fire.

Reports state the vessel sustained minimal damage from the fire. Several passengers have stated there was some panic as they gathered on the lifeboat deck.  However, there were no reports of injuries. 

KMP Bandeng

KMP Bandeng

KMP Bandeng

On August 15, the ro-ro passenger ferry KMP Bandeng sank in the Molucca Sea near Maju, Indonesia. The ferry had departed on the evening of August 14th from Tobelo bound for Bitung on North Sulawesi with 24 passengers and 18 crew along with 12 vehicles on board.  Several hours into the voyage the ferry contacted authorities.  The captain was concerned as the ferry was proceeding in deteriorating weather and decided to turn back to Tobelo.   

Authorities lost contact with the ferry a short time later.  Unknown to them, the KMP Bandeng had lost power.  The ferry’s main engine had failed and now the vessel was adrift in bad weather.  With swells reaching two to three meters, the KMP Bangdeng suffered water ingress while no power for the vessel’s pumps.  A passenger’s phone was able to contact authorities and alerted them that the vessel was in danger of foundering.  The order to abandon ship was given and 18 passengers and crew went into the vessel’s 3 life rafts.  Another 17 persons on board would be rescued by local fishermen who came to the aid of the KMP Bandeng.  Five people including the captain of the KMP Bandeng were reported as missing.  

Authorities dispatched search and rescue vessel to the scene and brought all survivors back to North Maluku Island.  Many were taken to hospital for treated for minor injuries or dehydration.

 

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: laverdaddemonagas.com

The 82 meter long, 361 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tallink Autoexpress 2 sank in Bay of Pozuelos at Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.  The ferry had been laid up in port for several years after a fracture was found in the hull.  The ferry had no power on board and depended on power provided by the pier to keep the vessel’s pumps working.  Reports state the power was removed eight months ago and the vessel had no working pumps. 

On August 4, the two people watching the Tallink Autoexpress 2 reported the vessel had suffered water ingress and the water levels were rising inside the vessel.  The owners dispatched a pump to the scene, but the single pump was unable to keep up with the flooding. 

Tallink Autoexpress 2
Photo: elpitazo.com

By August 7, the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had sunk by the stern.  Reports state pollution was released as the Tallink Autoexpress 2 had some 40,000 litres of diesel fuel in its tanks. Authorities placed barriers around the hull and absorbent pads to collect the fuel spill.  

This is the third ro-ro passenger ferry to sink near Puerto la Cruz  since 2010.  The Mrs. Juana sank in 2010 and the Carmen Ernestina sank in 2016.  Four other ferries are berthed in Puerto la Cruz waiting to be scrapped.